Welcome to the Business Voice - the monthly newsletter for Portland's Business District Associations. To unsubscribe, use the link at the bottom of the page or use the Send-A-Friend to forward it.
Portland's Tax Burden
The latest annual tax report from "Tax Rates and Tax Burdens in The District of Columbia - a Nationwide Comparison" published August 2005, says Portland's combined state and local taxes for 2004 were from seventh to ninth highest among the 50 largest cities in each state. It does not account for business taxes like the Business License Tax or Business Income Tax.
The study compares state and local tax burdens for a hypothetical family of four in the District of Columbia and the largest city in each state, for incomes from $25,000 to $150,000. For a copy of the report contact Editor and the 66 page .pdf report will be emailed to you.
APNBA Grant Recipients
The APNBA granted $19,800 matched by $80,107.00 for the following projects:
- Central Sandy, $2500 for a business directory.
- Division/Clinton, $3500 for their street fair.
- Foster Area, $3900 for park improvements.
- Hillsdale Business & Professional, $2000 for developing the Hillsdale Plaza.
- Multnomah village, $3000 to add flower baskets and update the website.
- Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, $3000 for programming and documentation to promote cultural organizations.
- Portland Mural defense, $1,100 to complete the Russian House Mural.
- SMILE, $800 for hanging flower pot project.
The APNBA Business Improvement Grant remains among the most politically successful and fiscally efficient projects the City offers small businesses.
Street Fair Coordinators
Are you interested in talking to other coordinators, finding out what does and doesn't work, how to raise money, manage the details, and survive the day of the event? If so, join other coordinators at a no-host lunch at Hoda's Cafe, 3401 SE Belmont, Friday, February 10, noon - 1:30pm. Street Fair co-ordinators are urged to attend for a fun time of sharing ideas, strategies and war stories, and to help plan a session on business district events for the Prosperity 2006! forum in October. RSVP John Barker 503.231.9118.
Main Street Managers - Nancy Chapin, APNBA Executive Director
Twice a year Oregon's small town Main Street revitalization and event management meets to share ideas. As the APNBA Executive Director, I relish the opportunity to share the many exciting things the Portland's BDA members create to intrigue, entertain, show appreciation, and showcase the businesses on Portland's streets.
One idea that intrigued me was hosting an Historic Building Open House as a fundraiser for an Association. Many districts in Portland have buildings and houses that are required to be open to the public one day/year as part of being a registered Historic Building. Other popular events are
cruise-ins, wine and art after hours, Farmers' Markets, in addition to the day-long events with music, entertainment, vendors, sidewalk sales, etc, that so many of Portland's BDA's already present each year.
The managers all agreed creating a vibrant downtown, main street, or district cannot happen without a paid staff person or a volunteer who serves as staff and office space, no matter how small. Their funding comes from Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), city general funds, Local Improvement Districts (LIDs), Block Grant funds, dues, and other grants and fees such as a portion of the hotel/motel tax.
Staffing is one of the areas where Portland's government representatives have not been as helpful to Districts - truly the economic engines of the City - as we hope they will eventually be through setting aside a portion of the Business Income Tax, the Bureau of Housing & Community Development (BHCD) Block Grant funds or some other method of financing marketing, organizational, event and district development staffing.
BEST Awards
The Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Awards are presented by the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development to businesses demonstrating significant achievements in tying business practices to environmental benefits. Applications, due by 5 p.m. February 15, 2006, are available at www.sustainableportland.org or by calling 503.823.0229. Winners will be announced at a breakfast event on April 20, 2006. You nominate yourself for this award. If you qualify, apply!
Coming Events
February 5: First Sunday Self-Guided Walking Tour. Portland Classical Chinese Garden. Sponsored by Arts, Culture and History Group of OTCTNA.
February 9: Second Thursday Music Walk on Mississippi Avenue between Skidmore and Fremont. Music, entertainment and open houses.
February 16: DOING BUSINESS workshop. Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME), 4134 N. Vancouver Ave. 8:30 am to 1:00pm (Lunch provided). RSVP to: Gale Hussey or call 503.823.5057.
February 23: Last Thursday on Alberta Street.
February 28: Mardi Gras on Mississippi Avenue starting at sunset. Jugglers, flame throwers, and much much music. Celebrating New Orleans style! Fundraiser for displaced Mississippi musicians through NOLA.
Mention your event here - Contact the Editor for more information.
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APNBA
Grant Winners
Belmont
Division Clinton
Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
Past Grant Projects
Volume 14 No. 2
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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