Granted - It's a success
The Burnside Business Association received a $3250 grant to promote their street fair in September. President Judy Craine reports the fair succeeded beyond their expectations. The businesses that participated were "very pleased."
The grant funds allowed them to:
Advertise in the Oregonian, Mercury, Willamette Week, and the SE Examiner.
Rent the large pirate ship for the children.
Add signage on the grounds and on the street.
Informal reports indicate that attendance was up 30% from the previous year and that more than half the guests were from outside the immediate area. Attendance seemed evenly split between young adults and families with children and/or dogs.
Commissioner Adams provides links to the City
Commissioner Sam Adams is assigning staff from the Office of Transportation and the Bureau of Environmental Services to act as liaison to business districts. Eleven city business districts have been assigned a city staff person from each of the two bureaus. The Community Liaisons will:
Attend meetings and establish communication between BDAs and City staff.
Serve as an advocate on issues and work to help identify emerging issues in the district.
Advocate the investment of city resources based on the Community’s needs and goals. Advocate, where appropriate, for policy changes that reflect the district/association’s interests.
Commissioner Adams expects that every business district and neighborhood association will have a liaison by January 2006. The business districts selected for the pilot project include: St. Johns Boosters, Central Eastside Industrial District (CEID), Columbia Corridor, Hollywood, Pearl, Multnomah Village, Foster, Northwest Industrial Neighborhood Association (NINA), Downtown retail Council, Gateway, and 82nd Avenue Business Association.
No Employees? An “If Any” Policy is still a Good Idea
There is insurance available if you have no employees or just an occasional hire! It’s the “if any” policy, a workers’ compensation insurance policy that covers your business when you do not plan to hire any employees. An “if any” policy does not cover you, the owner — just any employees you may hire.
The policy costs a minimum of $534. If you had no employees during the premium year, the insurance carrier credits back $303.32, leaving $230.68 as the out-of-pocket cost. If you had employees your cost is increased depending on payroll and type of work your employees do.
The “if any” policy can only be purchased through the “Oregon Workers’ Compensation Insurance Plan”. It’s easy to apply for and relatively inexpensive.
For more information, contact the Small Business Ombudsman for Workers’ Compensation, (503) 378-4209 or visit the Web site to read articles in the “hot topics” section — www.http://egov.oregon.gov/DCBS/SBO/hot_topics.shtml.
Coming Events
October 26: WoW, Nob Hill's What's on Wednesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, NW 23rd from Burnside to Raleigh. Email Peggy Anderson for details.
October 27: Last Thursday on Alberta Street. Contact Art on Alberta for more information.
November 1: Prosperity Now! - Symposium for business districts and small businesses. See http://ProsperityNow.APNBA.com for details.
Mention your event here - Contact the Editor for more information.
Photo credits:
East Burnside Street Fair - Judy Craine
Volume 13 No. 10
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
