By National Federation of Independent Business WASHINGTON, September 13, 2011 – Confidence in the economy among small-business owners tumbled in August, as NFIB’s monthly Small-Business Optimism Index dropped a whopping 1.8 points, settling at a disturbingly low 88.1. The Index has now been in decline for a full six months. […]

Signed, Sealed, Satisfaction Not Delivered By Oregon Better Business Bureau Music lovers are contesting the authenticity of autographs and memorabilia from their favorite musicians, according to Better Business Bureau’s complaints against Autographs America Inc. The online autograph dealer, based in Maple Valley, Wash., carries an “F” rating—BBB’s lowest—due to 16 […]

Nike’s futuristic shoes pulled from Michael J. Fox’s movie, Back to the Future, sold for $37,000. By Oregon Small Business Association Nike has produced 1500 pairs of replica shoes based on the pair that Michael J. Fox wore in the 1989 movie Back to the Future II. The shoes are […]

Is the Second Dip Here? By CLU Center for Economics Research and Forecasting The latest jobs data release was below our forecast, and that is bad. It is even worse, when one considers the productivity data released earlier in the week. That report showed that productivity has fallen in each […]

By Tim Duy, Oregon Economic Forum Economic data continue to deteriorate. The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators™ fell 0.5 percent to 90.2 (1997=100) in July 2011, compared to a revised 90.7 the previous month. Highlights of the report include: • Labor markets data was on average weak in […]

Associated Oregon Industries releases Legislative Voting Scores By Associated Oregon Industries The AOI 2011 Legislative Summary and Legislator Scorecard tabulated over 1,600 individual votes, both floor and committee, and reports the scores to our members. The individuals who make up the Oregon State Legislature affect every aspect of your business: […]

NEWS NOTE: Knight Capital Group placed a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal last Friday to bring remembrance to the events of September 11th.  Here is what the ad simply said. ALWAYS REMEMBER We will always remember the family and friends we lost on September 11, 2001. The […]

At Ground Zero progress is being made on the World Trade Center replacement building known as Freedom Tower and more commonly as the One World Trade Center Tower. The cost estimate is around $3.2 billion and this new World Trade Center tower will be the highest building in the nation. […]

U.S. Chamber Unveils Six-Point Plan for Job Creation — Launches Nationwide Print, Online, Social Media Ad Blitz;(ad here) WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a letter sent to President Obama and every member of Congress, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week unveiled its detailed jobs plan and called on leaders to take immediate […]