Portland foreclosure rates increase  Portland foreclosure rates rose to 2.74 percent, an increase of 0.18 percent compared to September 2011. The state’s rates rose to 3.12 percent, an increase of 0.15 percent. Nationwide, the foreclosure rates fell to 3.52 percent, a decrease of 0.27 percent. Oregon’s foreclosure recovery has lagged […]

Study reveals Portland-metro’s progress of economic recovery — Value of Jobs Coalition reports high productivity, job gains, but low median incomes Portland Business Alliance Business and civic leaders released the latest economic study of the Portland-metro area, examining how the region is performing compared the U.S. metro average and other […]

by Bill Conerly, Oregon economist Conerly Consulting, Businomics If you are a little skeptical about claims that spending more will spur the economy, listen to John Papola’s “Deck the Halls with Macro Follies” (hat tip to Russ Roberts at Cafe Hayek)

Retailers test same-day delivery Oregon Small Business Association: Giant retailers are offering same-day delivery in selected cities to try to gain a competitive edge. Amazon started same-day delivery several years ago, filling orders from its own warehouses. “Amazon created this monster and everyone has had to jump on board to […]

U.S. Chamber Comments on Proposed UN Internet Regulations By U.S. Chamber of Commerce Voices Strong Support for U.S. Government’s Refusal to Sign Agreement in Current Form The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer David Chavern today issued the following statement regarding the United Nation’s International […]

The Wall Street Journal interviewed the Vice President of Business Operations of Bullet Blocker which created a bullet-proof backpack for school kids. The idea is their backpack can be a lifesaving lightweight shield against mass shooters. Bullet Blockers said they saw sales rise 400% since the Newtown shooting.

  Phoenix to Approve Permits in 24-Hours By NFIB Which elected officials are the best at unleashing the job-creating abilities of small businesses? Ones who are also small-business owners. NFIB/Arizona salutes one of its own, Sal DiCiccio, pictured to the left, owner of Zenith Development of Arizona. He is also […]

By Oregon Employment Department Oregon’s job situation has improved in recent months as more people are finding work. The recovery has been far from ideal however. We have profiled Oregon’s key workforce challenges at the statewide level in other articles, but many of these challenges are more severe in rural […]

By  J.L. Wilson Associated Oregon Industries Rulemaking Process Slows Down Due to Strong Concerns from Employers As AOI alerted members late last month, Oregon OSHA held two meetings with Oregon employers – on November 7 and November 15 – concerning its intent to promulgate a brand new “employer knowledge” rule […]

by John Dudrey Stoel Rives World of Employment A new case from the Oregon Court of Appeals, Compressed Pattern LLC v. Employment Department, provides some clarity about the “maintain a separate business location” prong of Oregon’s unique independent contractor statute, ORS 670.600. First, the facts.  In the summer of 2009, […]