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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 31, 2012)
News East Portland Economic Development Summit Showcases Progress S en. Jeff Merkley gave the keynote speech at the East Portland Neighborhood Economic Development Summit 2012. Organized by the Portland Development Commission, and held at the Immigrant and Refugee Coalition of Oregon, the conference brought together business owners, financial specialists and community activists to learn about lending and development opportunities. Advocacy from East Port- land neighbors encouraged the Portland Development Commission to create its Specializing in *short sales * bank owned properties * first time home buyers * investment properties * residential & commercial new neighborhood prosperi- ty initiative, Merkley said. Six areas in East Portland will have funding for small business and community projects, designed to sup- port growth without driving residents out of their neigh- borhoods. That’s tremendous,” he said. “And I love the emphasis on communities of color. I love the emphasis on low-income families and underserved areas.” At the summit, panels showcased successful busi- nesses and the work of small lenders, such as Micro Enterprise Services of Ore- gon, Craft3 and Unitas Credit Union. Each one has helped small business own- ers find financial support to expand — often providing matching loans that double an investment. 28 yr old Ashawn C: 503-381-2107 W: 503-208-3797 F: 503-536-6523 E: mrtnel@gmail.com www.dwellrealtypdx.com 5625 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97211 PDC executive director, Patrick Quinton explained how the Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative is designed to help improve business districts without gentrifying existing resi- dents out of neighborhoods. “Because local business associations manage these STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Tameka Torrey Nelson The PDC’s Neighborhood Prosperity Initiatives are managed by community business associations 4 yr old Nov 4, 2010 Love, Jasmine Page 10 The Portland Skanner October 31, 2012 districts, the work in each district reflects community priorities and strengthens communities from within,” Quinton said. “The PDC created the small business development program, which has invest- ed more than $600,000 in community organizations like the Asian American Pacific Chamber, which in turn has provided more than 3,000 hours of technical assistance to small busi- Panels showcased how local lenders are helping small businesses grow nesses.” Nick Sauvie of Rose Community Development talked about the challenge of housing families and pointed to signs of hope. East Portland was adding jobs throughout the reces- sion, he said, even as other parts of Portland were los- ing jobs. A resident of East Port- land for many years, Merkley’s talk covered some of the history of Port- land’s outer east nei gh bor hoods. He described the chal- lenges faced by low-income families, some gentrified out of North and Northeast Portland; others new arrivals to Portland. In the summer, for exam- ple, more than 50 sports and recreation programs were available for students, but not everyone could afford See EAST on page 11
