APNBA

	Business Voice A Publication of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations, Inc. www.apnba.com
	April 2005

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 Adam's Resolution to provide $100,000 to support Business District Associations was approved by the City Council. APNBA, the Small Business Advisory Council, the East Portland, Hispanic, and Native American Chambers of Commerce and the Hawthorne, Division-Clinton, Nob Hill, North Northeast, Foster Area, 82nd Avenue and Woodstock Business Associations all testified. Thank you to all. The next steps are approval by PDC's Commissioners since the funds are from their budget, development of the grant application and the criteria for applying.

Mark your calendar! The APNBA Annual meeting is April 25th at 5:30 pm at the Ambridge Center, 300 NE Multnomah Street.

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The APNBA Action Plan that emerged from the March Board Meeting fell into two categories, Organize Ourselves, and Improve the Business Climate. Each category contained four major ideals.

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The City is proposing a Development Services Fee, that should distribute the cost of upgrading Land Use Services to the broadest group of customers.

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BDA Tips - The fully-functioning BDA
John Barker/Belmont Area Business Association
I can‘t believe it! The Belmont Area Business Association is 20! As a board member and president for more years than I care to remember, I'm asked to pass on tips for success (or least longevity)! Here goes!

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Quarterly Meeting
Networking begins at 5:30, dinner catered by Ambridge Center is at 6:00, and the meeting starts at 6:30 pm. Elections of officers and a presentation of the BPA's review of the city budget. Contact Nancy Chapin at 503-774-2832 to reserve your space. Dinner is $15.00 and reservations are required.
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APNBA Action Plan
Organize Ourselves included:

Improving communication and relationships between the business districts, their neighborhoods, and the city.
Ensuring continued support for both the APNBA and the business districts.
Creating a brochure to market APNBA and build recognition of non-downtown business districts.
Changing our name to something everyone can remember.

Improve the Business Climate is composed of:

Reducing cost of doing business - fees, permits, taxes.
Reducing crime and increasing public safety and livability.
Creating/finding a new funding mechanism to support business outside the Urban renewal Districts.
Focusing on basic infrastructure

Development Fees
Building Permits can only be used for construction so they couldn't move any surplus fees out of their department and Land Use Services was understaffed.
After two years of discussion, the city, builders, and developers agreed to reduce the building permit fee and create a development services fee, which would make is possible for Land Use to hire seven more staff to get through their backlog.

The Development Services fee will be charged on every building, site development, zoning, and facilities permit except for plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and certain facilities permits. If passed by the city, it takes effect May 2, 2005. For more information, contact Ty Kovatch, 503.823.7316, or email tkovatch@ci.portland.or.us.

BDA Tips
Build on Basics: Of necessity, there’s only so much we can do. So we focus on the basics: regular monthly meeting and newsletter, just two major events a year - the annual banquet in mid winter and street fair in late summer. We build from there as time, talents and interests allow.

Self help: Early on, the BABA got a huge boost as a REACH target district. But, after two very busy, exciting years it concluded and we were left to our own devising. That was good. Grants for special projects like flower baskets or banners are stimulating. But ultimately the support has to come from your members or it’s not worth doing. The process of networking and fundraising is as important as whatever final product you produce.

Professional help: Volunteer help only goes so far. So we still pay a small amount every month to Nancy Chapin‘s “The Support Group” for such basics as bookkeeping and mailings. Plus having full access to Nancy’s mind, broad experience and contacts is invaluable! She’s our anchor!

Champs not chimps: Any successful project needs a champ to lead it. After awhile, if a project can’t survive without you perhaps it shouldn’t!

Periodic planning: At least once a year (usually with the new board) review your goals and budget. Always try something new each year.

Share the pain: The longer we’re at this, the more we network with our colleagues. The adjacent presidents of Hawthorne, Belmont and Division meet monthly. And, of course, the quarterly city-wide APNBA meetings are a great resource.

Have fun! This is the most important tip. While we deal with serious issues like crime and blight, we focus on upbeat projects and tackle them in a fun and creative manner. If you’re having fun, chances are you’re doing a good job.

You're welcome to send in your experiences running a business district. Contact the Editor with your advice, wisdom, cautions, and horror stories.

BDA Events

Midway Celebrates
past event

Your event here!

Coming Events
Mississippi Avenue debuts its 2nd Thursday Music Walk at 5:00 PM, April 14th, 2005. The event takes place at participating businesses on North Mississippi Avenue between Skidmore and Fremont.

Fox Chase (NE 30th and Killingsworth) is sponsoring A May Day Affair, a fun and free celebration of healthy and environmentally friendly living, May 1 from 10:30 AM – 6 PM at participating businesses. Events include:
* Thai Massage & Didgeridoo Music
* Free dance classes
* Informal Garden Tour
* Mandalas and Music

The Sixth Annual Alberta Art Hop will be held on Saturday, May 14, noon to 7 PM. The theme this year is "Art Moves". For vendor information, contact Kathryn Renz at katrenz@att.net. For rules and deadlines, contact Allan Oliver at allan@ondagallery.com.

Flamenco Dancer

Flamenco Festival
July 20 - 24

To be part of this event:

* Play flamenco music (our CDs).
* Offer participants a 10% discount on food or drink.
* Host a "Juerga", a gathering of flamenco musicians and dancers.

Your name will be printed in the official Festival Guide and Map.
Contact Laurena at 503/972.1178, or flamenco@comcast.net.
Division/Clinton Business Association

Mention your event here - contact the Editor for more information.

Volume 13 No. 4
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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