Local Resources

Portland

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Portland Business Assistance Guide

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Small Business Development Center

Provides free one on one counseling and reasonably priced courses and seminars that cover several business topics including: Going into Business, Financing Your Business, Marketing, Writing Business Plans.

Small Business Management Program

The Small Business Development Centers at the CLIMB Center for Advancement, Portland Community College and Mt. Hood Community College, and the Micro‐Inventors Program of Oregon and the Oregon Microenterprise Network, have been selected by the Portland Development Commission to bring technical assistance and training to your business!

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Mercy Corps NW

Provides integrated business support services for low-income entrepreneurs. Provides access to capital through IDA accounts. Offers a matched savings account., provides financing and assistance. Offers introductory workshop series and advanced seminars on business related topics.

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Portland Development Commission

As the city’s economic development agency, the PDC contributes to the growth and diversity of Portland’s business climate. Financial and technical assistance programs and partnerships with public and private sector organizations support business retention, expansion and recruitment, and foster a regional economy that is competitive, sustainable and equitable.

Oregon Economic and Business Equity (MWESB)

 

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U.S. Small Business Administration, Portland District Office

Provides a variety of services to support the small business person such as SBA-backed loans, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance and training programs to help the business succeed.

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SCORE

Free counseling from a large group of experienced managers on business start-up, operation, and planning. Regular workshops on marketing, business finance, business start up procedures, and writing business plans.

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The Nonprofit Association of Oregon

Provides training, consultations, and referrals to non-profits.

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Portland Business Alliance

Provides education and training programs for small to medium sized businesses.

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PSU Business Outreach Project

Provides a variety of services including: Business Plan Development, Marketing Plan Development, Market Research and Analysis, Pro Bono Legal Assistance for Qualified Clients, Human Resource Support, Operations Assistance, Product Cost Analysis, Business Assessment, and Accounting System Set Up and Training.

PSU Senior Capstone

The Business “Strategy” Capstone is a way for business students from different majors to combine their knowledge and work together in the field with an external partner on pressing strategic issues.

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Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs(OAME)

OAME is a non-profit, tax exempt organization formed to promote and develop entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the State of Oregon. OAME works as a partnership between ethnic minorities, entrepreneurs, education, government and established corporate businesses.

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Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Provides assistance with business loan proposals, business plan writing, certification as minority-owned, women-owned, and emerging small business, bidding and estimating and identification of procurement opportunities. Conducts trade shows, business classes and workshops.

Hacienda CDC

Through microenterprise development, Hacienda promotes the self-sufficiency, creativity and viability of immigrant women, their families and the local community. Hacienda’s microenterprise program provides entrepreneurial residents with training and mentoring to become successful small business owners. Entrepreneurs are trained in developing business skills including business management, financial literacy, marketing, securing licenses and learning compliance with local governments. Hacienda acts as an incubator for these small businesses providing resources, start-up costs, English language help, marketing assistance, and access to IDA accounts and low-interest loans. Business ventures include selling homemade tamales at local farmers markets, “Green” housecleaning services and organic vegetable production (in the works).

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Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO)

Helps develop marketing strategies and linkages, provides hands-on business support and counseling, helps with renovation, space, and business expansion planning, provides emergency financial assistance, loans, & grants.

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ONABEN A Native American Business Network

Provides Indianpreneurship business development training series for start-up and existing businesses. Other services include technical assistance counseling, business mentoring and access to financing and markets. Specific programs available support women and artists in business.

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African American Chamber of Commerce

Provides education and training assistance, one-on-one counseling and business television advertising.

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Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

Holds monthly networking sessions, panel discussions, workshops and seminars.

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Trillium Artisans

Assists local artisans by providing support in product development, material sourcing and the marketing of products. Technical assistance includes: product design, fair market value pricing, promotional material guidance and resources for marketing research.

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Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon

Where women in business come to connect and grow personally and professionally. WEO’s mission is to provide tools for success for women in business. Our objective is to offer education, networking, and mentoring opportunities.

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Office of Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business

OMWESB strives to ensure that minorities, women, and emerging small businesses have equal access to contracting opportunities in both the public and private sector. As the sole certification authority in Oregon for targeted government contracts for disadvantaged, minority-and woman-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses, OMWESB provides “one-stop” certification. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all certifications for which they may qualify.

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BEST Business Center

The BEST Business Center is a “one-stop shop” for businesses in Portland who want to become greener and more profitable. Their free services include a Sustainability Survey, customized recommendations and assistance in the areas of energy, water, waste and recycling, purchasing, green building and transportation.

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Young Women Social Entrepreneurs

Professional development and networking resources in Portland.

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Oregon Economic Community Development Department

The Economic and Community Development Department provides economic and community development and cultural enhancement throughout the state, and administers programs that assist businesses, communities and people.

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Open Technology Business Center

OTBC is an organization devoted to supporting the growth of technology start-ups in Oregon. At OTBC, we are open to taking your technology and helping you turn it into a growth business through individualized coaching programs and commercialization assistance that accelerate your company’s progress.

MIPO

MIPO is a non-profit organization that provides resources, training, and access to consultative services to inventors, innovators, entrepreneurs and small businesses that are creating, inventing, designing, new products to bring to the market.

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Oregon Microenterprise Network

The Oregon Microenterprise Network (OMEN) is a statewide association of microenterprise development programs and their supporters. These programs provide training, lending and other enterprise opportunities to entrepreneurs with limited access to economic resources.

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Food Innovation Center

The FIC is a resource for client based Product and Process Development, Packaging Engineering and Shelf Life Studies, and Consumer Sensory Testing.

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Neighborhood House

The Child Care Improvement Project (CCIP) is a program for family child care providers who are committed to offering high quality child care and for parents who are seeking options that best meets their family’s child care needs. Over 100 providers who are caring for over 700 children participate in the CCIP throughout Multnomah County.

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Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations

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Native American Youth & Family Center

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Women’s Business Center

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Portland Online

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Better Business Bureau

One Page Business Plan