Archives : Posts By Author : Warren Jimenez
Posts by Warren JimenezSenior Policy Director
Economic Development, Businesses and Employment
Neighborhood Parking Benefit Program Summit
Representatives from the Neighborhood and Business Associations gathered together to hear more about the Neighborhood Parking Benefit Program. Approximately 50 people attended to listen to presentations about the Cost of Free Parking, the Lloyd District Transportation Management Association and the Bureau of Planning Corridor Study. Sam opened the summit taking...May 26, 2006 in APNBA, Events, Our Initiatives, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Sam's Remarks at PFLAG
PFLAG, Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, held their Northwest Regional Conference over the weekend. PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights...April 24, 2006 in Equality, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Asian Health & Service Center Host Asian Art Exhibition
On Saturday, Sam and I attended this art exhibition. The exhibition features the high quality work of over 150 students who have taken art classes sponsored by the Oregon Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and AHSC. The students come from diverse cultural backgrounds and include retirees, homemakers, caregivers, people recovering from chronic illness and small business owners...April 24, 2006 in Arts & Culture, East Portland, Front Page | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
Bridger Rainwater Garden Grand Opening
Sam attended the grand opening of Bridger Rainwater Garden on Earth Day. After more than five years of hard work, the 12,000-square-foot rainwater garden was recognized by the community. This rolling native plant garden fills the school's center courtyard where there used to be a sea of barren asphalt. Once the plants are fully rooted, the garden will be fed by stormwater runoff from its roof. By returning this water to the earth's groundwater through natural filtration, the garden will help divert almost 300,000 gallons a year from our sewer systems. Here are Sam's comments from the event...April 24, 2006 in East Portland, Environmental Services, Events, Livability & Environment, Speeches & Testimony | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
Neighborhood Parking Benefit Program
The Neighborhood Parking Benefit Program (NPBP) is a parking management tool for growing business districts designed to charge market-based cost for on-street parking and return the net revenue generated to the metered districts for transportation improvements of their choice. Sam initiated this program to help business districts manage on-street parking to support economic vitality by encouraging parking turnover, improving circulation, maintaining air quality and promoting the use of alternative modes. In addition to economic vitality, the NPBP is designed to protect neighborhood livability by minimizing impacts on surrounding residents caused by spillover and commuter parking...April 17, 2006 in Jobs & Economy, Office of Transportation, Our Initiatives, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Assurety NW/Lents Town Center Project moving along, thanks to help from PDOT!
Below is an email from the brokers, who represent Assurety NW, in this new development in Lents. Thanks to all of the bureaus for your hard work on this project. From: Molly MinkSent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 11:32 AMTo: samadams@ci.portland.or.us; wjimenez@ci.portland.or.usSubject: Recent PDOT Experience Commissioner Adams and Warren Jimenez: As...March 1, 2006 in Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #146: ORRCO Oil Re-Refining
ORRCO Oil Refining is located in North Portland close to the Portland Expo Center. We met with Bill Briggs, Founder and President and Steven Gunther. ORRCO is a leader in petroleum recycling. Through new technologies developed by ORRCO, they have the capabilities to recycle antifreeze, oil filters, oily rags, and...February 23, 2006 in Environmental Services, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Worksystems Announces New Structure
"Over this past summer and fall, I wanted to work “100 hours” in Portland’s most common, lowest paying jobs. What kind of jobs did I work? I worked as a receptionist/office clerk; courtesy clerk; waiter; prep cook; groundskeeper; street paver; retail salesperson; teacher's assistant; truck driver; sidewalk ambassador; hotel room cleaner; customer service representative; cashier and janitor...February 22, 2006 in Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Workforce | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Local Business Celebrates 2nd anniversary: Congrats Quirks and Quandaries
Located on Mississipi, Quirkes and Quandaries had there second anniversay. Sam and I remember the first time we visited Kirsten Holstein, business owner, during Sam's first 100 days in office. It was our pleasure to go to their celebration. Congratulations...February 9, 2006 in Jobs & Economy, North Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Help Wanted: WSI Needs Board Members
Worksystems, Inc. (WSI) is a nonprofit organization that connects job seekers with employers by funding career placement and training services. WSI is staff to the local Workforce Investment Board for Oregon Region 2. The Board sets policy, provides strategic direction and oversight for the region’s workforce development system. The region...February 2, 2006 in Jobs & Economy, Workforce | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Sam Presents Checks to Business Districts
At the quarterly Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Association (APNBA) meeting, Sam presented grants receipts with their checks. The APNBA Buisness Improvement Grant is a very effective program for improvement in our business districts. This is the reason why Sam advocated to get them an additional $100,000 last year. Here...January 24, 2006 in APNBA, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Proposed Business Fee Reduction Fails to Gain 3rd Vote on Council... Yet
Visiting 100 businesses in his first 100 days in office re-enforced to Sam the need to enact a long-proposed reduction to the Business License Fee. Sam proposed increasing the owner's compensation from $57,000 to $125,000, which calculates to a $4.3 million tax relief package. This tax relief would have been...December 29, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
'Team Sam' & PDC Help Thortex Inc. Grow Jobs
Thortex Inc., an orthopedic implant manufacture, started out in Clackamas with no interest in moving to Portland. Following up on a rumor that Thortex was looking to move to Clark County, Washington, Sam went to visit owners David and Kathy Walker. He drove them to potential sites in Portland, introduced...December 29, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Stalled Lents Town Center Plan gets boost from recruitment of Assurety Northwest Inc. as Cornerstone Tenant
One of the most exciting business recruitment, expansion and retention efforts this past year has been recruiting Assurety Northwest to locate in the Lents neighborhood of SE Portland. In March, Sam and I met with Assurety to discuss this option. They were reluctant because of Portland's reputation for being bad...December 29, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Spotlight on Portland's working poor: 100 Hours working at Portland's most commom, lowest paying jobs
Following Sam's 100 business visits in his first 100 days in office, Sam wanted to shine the spotlight on Portland's working poor. He decided to work 100 hours at Portland’s most common and lowest paying jobs to learn what the city can do to create more family-wage jobs. Sam has...December 29, 2005 in 100 Hours, 2005 Year-in-Review | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #144: Oregon Food Bank
Early this morning, as part of his outreach to businesses and working '100 Hours at Portland's Most Common Jobs' initiative, Sam helped a driver at the Oregon Food Bank (OFB) make his rounds. The OFB is a hub of a statewide network of 894 hunger-relief agencies. It serves all of...December 23, 2005 in 100 Hours, Jobs & Economy, Northeast Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #143: Local Developer
Who: Local Developer who wished to remain confidential When: December 3, 2005...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, North Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #142: Stormwater 360
You might not know about this company but it is a cornerstone of Portland's green industry. I visited on a very rainy November day, which was appropriate. Stormwater 360 helps its customers -- including the City of Portland -- across the U.S. achieve their water quality goals by removing pollutants...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Northeast Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #141: URS Engineering
Who: URS Engineering When: November 9, 2005 URS is the largest global engineering design firm and a leading U.S. federal government contractor providing a comprehensive range of professional planning, design, systems engineering and technical assistance - with a focus on environmental and transportation oriented concerns. URS has 28,000 employees and...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Southwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #140: gDiapers
Who: gDiapers When: October 21, 2005 Portland is well known for its green practices and environmentally conscious businesses. And now, you can now gDiapers to the growing list of green businesses located in and relocating to Portland. Sam believes it's essential for Portland to find and exploit market niches where...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Northwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #139: Pacific Crest Securities
Who: Pacific Crest Securities When: October 6, 2005 Pacific Crest Securities is an independent investment bank focused exclusively on technology and technology investing. They work with some of North America’s largest institutional investors, venture capitalists and technology companies. Pacific Crest Securities has received numerous awards for its expertise, the most...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Southwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #138: Marie's Restaurant
Who: Marie's Restaurant When: September 30,...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, North Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #137: University of Portland
Who: University of Portland When: September 27, 2005 The University of Portland is a Catholic college that is ranked among the Top 10 regional universities in the west. It boasts a faculty-student ratio of just 13:1 and academic offerings that include over 1,100 courses, 60 undergraduate programs of study, and...December 23, 2005 in Higher Education Industry, Jobs & Economy, North Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #136: Tri-Met
Who: Tri-Met When: September 23, 2005 Tri-Met is greater Portland's main provider of public transportation. They run the MAX lightrail system, as well as an intricate network of bus lines....December 23, 2005 in 100 Hours, East Portland, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #135: Outside In
Who: Outside In When: September 16, 2005 Outside In is a non-profit which focuses on helping the homeless, with a special emphasis on transient youth. They have a variety of programs that provide a wide range of social services including medical and mental health services. They work to provide marginalized...December 23, 2005 in 100 Hours, Jobs & Economy, Southwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #134: LanPacific
Who: LanPacific When: September 15, 2005 LanPacific is a team of land use planners, civil engineers, landscape and golf course architects who provide innovative land development consultation and efficient and effective design solutions to public infrastructure development. The company is only a couple of years old, and it is this...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Southeast Portland (inner) | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #133: Fred Meyer
Who: Interstate Fred Meyer When: September 5, 2005 If you've lived in Portland for any period of time, you already know what Fred Meyer is - a department store that sells homegoods, clothes, and grocery; it has a pharmacy, a gardening center, and will most likely have what you need....December 23, 2005 in 100 Hours, Jobs & Economy, North Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #132: Embassy Suites
Who: Embassy Suites When: August 26, 2005 Embassy Suites, a national hotel chain, operates 251-room hotel located close to the Portland International Airport. It is billed as a higher end, full-service establishment. Read Sam's Blog on his work experience at the Embassy...December 23, 2005 in 100 Hours, Jobs & Economy, Southwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #131: DoveLewis Animal Hospital
Who: DoveLewis Animal Hospital When: August 25, 2005 DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital was founded in 1973 by Mr. A.B. Lewis with the help of the Portland Veterinary Medical Association. Since June of 1992, DoveLewis has opened its doors around the clock, 24 hours a day, to treat animals requiring emergency...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Northwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #130: Oregon Council for Hispanic Achievement
Who: Oregon Council for Hispanic Achievement When: August 19, 2005Read Sam's blog on OCHA. The Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement (OCHA) is a private, non-profit organization. It was created in 1983, when the Columbia-Willamette United Way launched a Hispanic Services Project to address the human service needs of the Hispanic...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Northwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #129: Northwest Assurety
Who: Assurety Northwest When: August 15, 2005 As a leading full service insurance agency in the Pacific Northwest, Assurety NW provides its customers with a choice of insurance carriers, offering different insurance plan options for business, surety/bonding, auto, home, recreational, life and health insurance for both businesses and individuals. NW...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #128: Pho Huong Restaurant
Who: Pho Huong Restaurant When: August 7, 2005 Pho Huong is a Vietnemese restaurant that serves up a mean beef-noodle soup. Sam worked an evening shift waiting tables at East Portland's Pho Huong Restaurant on Powell Blvd. While new on Pho's staff, Sam is very familiar with the food service...December 23, 2005 in 100 Hours, East Portland, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #127: Oregon Iron Works
Who: Oregon Iron Works When: August 3, 2005 Oregon Iron Works, Inc., is a pioneering force in the fabrication and manufacturing industries. Founded in 1944, the company began achieving success fabricating in the demanding hydroelectric, bridge and civil construction industries. From complex bridges to sophisticated military patrol craft, today the...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #126: Applied Plastics
Who: Applied Plastics When: August 2, 2005 Applied Plastics has over 30 years of experience in working in the plastics industry. They offer a wide range of services, including cutting, design, fabrication, and welding, although they focus on manufacturing plastic pipes and pipe fittings. For a company profile, read on...December 23, 2005 in East Portland, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #125: Portland International Airport
Who: Portland International Airport When: July 29, 2005 Portland International Airport offers flights, well, all over the world. With a wide range of carriers (including Air Canada Jazz, Alaska Airlines,America West Airlines, American Airlines, Big Sky Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air, JetBlue Airways,...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Northeast Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #124: Classique Floors
Who: Classique Floors When: July 22, 2005Read Sam's blog on Classique Floors. Classique Floors has provided the Greater Portland with floor coverings and custom installation since 1977. They specialize in a wide range of floorings including wood, carpet, tile, vinyl, cork, linoleum and laminates....December 23, 2005 in East Portland, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #123: Bullivant/Houser/Bailey
Who: Bullivant/Houser/Bailey When: July 19, 2005 Bullivant Houser Bailey PC is a leading multi-service West Coast law firm with nearly 200 attorneys in four states, including Oregon. Bullivant is nationally recognized for its trial experience, and is ranked among The National Law Journal’s top 250 U.S. law firms. The firm,...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Southwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #122: Hillsboro Civic Center
Who: Hillsboro Civic Center When: July 16, 2005 This great new building received a gold rating for its energy efficiency and overall eco-friendliness. And the Civic Center fits right into Oregon's longstanding tradition of finding ways to have a vibrant economy and a healthy ecosystem....December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #121: Maverick's Gym
Where: Mavericks Fitness Club When: July 15, 2005 Mavericks is not a gym, it's a fitness center. Like gyms, Mavericks does focus on sweat and excersize to take off the pounds, but unlike traditional gyms, it also focuses on nutrition. There is a cafe inside called Real Food for Real...December 23, 2005 in 100 Hours, Jobs & Economy, Northwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Business #120: Burgerville
Who: Burgerville When: July 8, 2005 Burgerville, USA is a privately held chain of restaurants found only in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Reflecting its limited presence, the chain has used the slogan Inconveniently located for most of America. Although at first glance Burgerville looks like a fast food restaurant, the...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Southeast Portland (inner) | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #119: Oregon Clinic
Who: The Oregon Clinic When: July 6, 2005 The Oregon Clinic is a group of physicians and staff working to meet Portland's healthcare needs within and across specialties. It was founded in 1994 with the merger of several clinical groups in Portland and has continued to grow, offering specialty care...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #118: Volt Temp Agency
Who: Volt Temp Agency When: July 1, 2005 Volt is an employer of professionals in a wide range of job classifications with expertise in providing job seekers with challenging and rewarding employment opportunities and matching them with customers who are seeking qualified contingent staff. Volt is recognized as one of...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Southwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #117: SE Works
Who: SE Works When: July 1, 2005 SE Works is a community-based workforce development organization located which offers employment and training services to youth and adult job seekers. They also work with area businesses to fill vacant positions. SE Works's mission is to strengthen the economic health and well being...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Southwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #116: Kidney Foundation of Oregon and Washington
Who: Kidney Foundation of Oregon and Washington When: June 23, 2005 The Kidney Foundation of Oregon and Washington was created in an effort to prevent kidney and urninary tract disease, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increase the availability of all organs...December 23, 2005 in 100 Businesses, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business #115: Halton Caterpillar
Who: Halton Caterpillar Date: June 21, 2005 Halton Caterpillar is a full service Caterpillar dealer which can boast that almost every commercial business in Portland has been touched, at some point, by Caterpillar and Halton Co.. They specialize in daily weekly and short term rentals offering both earthmoving and industrial...December 23, 2005 in Jobs & Economy, Northeast Portland | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
100 Businesses in 100 Days
100 business visits in Sam's first 100 days in office... actually it was 114 businesses. The first day Sam took office, he started this effort by visiting OHSU. From small to big businesses, Sam and I spent nearly an hour at each visit getting to know the vibrant local business...December 20, 2005 in 100 Businesses, 2005 Year-in-Review | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Own Your Equity: The Lease-to-Own Initiative
In the Portland Metro Area, more than 95% of all firms are small businesses. In Multnomah County alone there are 20,654 small businesses that employ 125,032 people with a payroll of $1.1 billion. Of these, almost 13,000 - or more than half - are micro-enterprises with 5 employees or fewer....December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Dashboard: What Exactly is Economic Success?
How should we define economic success for Portland and the region? This is the central question posed to business, labor and government as part of the “Portland Area Economic Dashboard” project launched by Sam Adams and local economists. “Hard to believe, we have never set actual goals for business success...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Worksystems, Inc. Makes Changes
Worksystems, Inc. (WSI) is a nonprofit organization that connects job seekers with employers by funding career placement and training services. WSI is staff to the local Workforce Investment Board for Oregon Region 2. The region consists of the City of Portland, Multnomah and Washington Counties. Sam is the local elected...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Jobs & Economy, Workforce | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Business Association Grant Program Expansion
Our small and neighborhood business associations are a vital part of the Portland’s business culture. Although the city has made a small investment in our business district through the APNBA Grant Program, Sam wanted to increase their opportunity to expand on their past success. We increased this program by $100,00...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
"Think Local, Buy Local, Be Local"
When you patronize locally owned, independent businesses, up to 3 times more money stays in the local community, stated Sam at a press conference to encourage consumers to buy at locally owned businesses. Sustainable Business Network of Portland started the Think Local First campaign a year ago with 30 members....November 25, 2005 in Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Wal-Mart | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Southeast 82nd, Our "Avenue of Roses"
This is a genuinely community effort that started with an idea from the business community and has gain the support of the entire neighborhood, stated Sam as he introduced this resolution. City Council passed a resolution today to recognize Southeast 82nd Avenue, within the boundaries of the City of Portland,...November 23, 2005 in East Portland | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (2)
City Council Supports Plan for Urban Natives
Today, City Council unanimously passed a resolution to support the Urban Indian Regional Strategic Plan “Restoring a Cultural System of Plenty” to reducing poverty in the Urban Native American population. With funding provided by the Northwest Area Foundation, community members in Portland, Seattle, Rapid City, and Billings have been able...November 23, 2005 in Education, Equality, Front Page, Housing, Jobs & Economy, Our Initiatives, Workforce | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
gDiapers, "Love at first flush"
Portland is known for being a green, sustainable city. Therefore, it makes good sense to support local businesses who care about our environment. Today, Sam and I had an opportunity to meet with gDiapers. gDiapers have developed the first flushable diaper in the world. They really are flushable, said Jason...October 21, 2005 in Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Northwest Portland | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
New Development, New Day for Lents
Today, begins a new day for the Lents community. By a 4-1 vote, PDC approved Assurety Northwest to begin developing a towncenter in Lents. Assurety Northwest, a full service insurance agency dedicated to providing quality products, competitive rates and outstanding customer service, will bring 45 family wage jobs to Portland....October 12, 2005 in East Portland, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, News | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Prosperity Now!, November 1st
Prosperity Now! is a symposium for small businesses, business district associations, and anyone interested in Portland's small business community. Filled with information for both small businesses and business districts, it's an opportunity to learn how to improve your business, to network, and to learn how collaboration can bring resources into...October 5, 2005 in APNBA, Front Page, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
1st Annual Gathering, Oregon Native American Chamber
On October 1st, Sam was the featured speaker for the Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce 1st Annual Gathering. It was a wonderful evening of Native American drumming and dancing as well as networking with business owners. Here is Sam's speech: Good Evening. I am deeply honored to have been...October 3, 2005 in Equality, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Should There Be Local Control of Utility Rates?
This is the question Sam wants to ask Portlanders. For your reference, see Still taking the battle to Enron and a study presented to City Council on January 12, 1979. What do you think our City should...September 20, 2005 in Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Livability & Environment | Permalink | Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)