Welcome to the Business Voice - our monthly e-newsletter for Portland's Business District Associations. To stop receiving this, use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the page. You can send a copy by using the Send-A-Friend box below or by forwarding to your email list.
Commissioner Sam Adams is proposing the city provide the APNBA with up to $50,000 in additional funding for the PDC/APNBA Grants, currently limited to capital projects such as banners and signs.
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Our Public Safety campaign started a with a lively discussion at a board meeting. The districts agreed that dealing with the many petty crimes that plague our districts needs a joint effort by the city and the county.
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BDA Tips - The fully-functioning BDA
Nancy Chapin/APNBA
The most effective way to have a fully-functioning BDA is to have as many members as possible actively involved, bringing energy, experience, and funds. The fully-functioning BDA helps with group advertising and events, offers opportunities to network, has leadership that knows who to contact, knows what is affecting the businesses' ability to be solvent, and knows what meetings to attend to work on solutions.
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The City of Portland’s Ombudsman’s Office helps people who have complaints about City bureaus or agencies. They can review most City actions, except the Police and elected officials. It provides a more neutral path for people to have their complaints addressed, particularly when existing avenues fail to resolve their concerns. People should first try the bureau involved. If that is not successful,contact the ombudsman.
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Additional Funds
The funds could be used for marketing the district or for organizing new or underdeveloped BDAs. Grants would be awarded according to the grant guidelines, which include matching funds from the business district.
Commissioner Adams believes the current PDC/APNBA grants need to be more flexible. By increasing the dollar amount and expanding the potential use of funds, the BDAs would be strengthened and stimulated.
Mayor Potter, while supportive, wants to meet with the Portland Business Alliance and the Portland Development Commission to discuss their potential partnership for the effort.
Safety on the Streets
The APNBA and a number of business districts followed up by writing to their elected officials. The solution to this problem will take a long time, and the APNBA remains involved and interested.
The functioning BDA
A fully-functioning BDA also communicates regularly with its members, requiring a mailing, fax, and/or e-mail list.
The most efficient way to keep the BDA mailing list updated is by sending a $.23 postcard to your members at least once a year. The Post Office returns change of address for $.23 a name.
The most efficient and effective? One or more members walking the entire district with your current mailing list to introduce yourselves, update names, and add missing info such as e-mail and web site addresses.
This is the first of an ongoing series of articles drawn from your experiences operating a business district. Contact the Editor with your advice, wisdom, cautions, and horror stories.
Ombudsman
The ombudsman investigates complaints about City actions or policy by reviewing applicable laws and policies as well as deciding what is fair and equitable. The ombudsman does not automatically take the person’s side in a conflict. If the Office decides a complaint is justified, they work to find a fair solution. If a complaint is not justified, the Office will explain the reasoning.
The staff is happy to come to your Business Association meeting and discuss their office and services. They are also happy to provide you with brochures and materials. To schedule a meeting or for more information, contact them at:
Office of the Ombudsman
1221 SW 4th Ave., Room 320
Portland, OR 97204-1900
Phone: 503-823-0144
Fax: 503-823-3530
E-mail: ombudsman@ci.portland.or.us
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St. Patrick's Day
March 17th
Commissioner Adams
Lloyd Center 2003
Advertise Here!!
The Business Voice is published the first Tuesday of the month and sent to Portland's BDAs, small business advocates, chambers of commerce, and elected officials.
It is is the perfect place to market your association activities - the street fairs, conferences, bowling tournaments, golf games, anything you want the public to attend.
And, it doesn't cost you a cent! Interested? - contact the Editor for more information.
Spring Solstice
March 21st
Your Event
Volume 13 No. 3
The Business Voice is published 12 times a year by the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations
P.O. Box 5123
Portland OR 97208-5123
E-mail: info@apnba.com
Web site: www.apnba.com
Editor: Jean Baker
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