Business Oregon

Continuing our celebration of Women's History Month, did you know that 62.6% of all COBID certifications are for woman-owned businesses? Business Oregon's Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) aims to level the playing field by providing certified firms a fair opportunity to compete for government contracts regardless of owner ethnicity, gender, disability, or firm size. There are currently 1,688 unique woman-owned, COBID-certified businesses! Those businesses have a combined 3,185 certifications through the COBID program. We encourage those who are eligible to apply for as many COBID certifications as they qualify for. Government projects may have specific requirements or targets for their contracts to be awarded to minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses. Certifying your business for as many certifications as qualified for helps make it possible to grow and overcome barriers in gaining business opportunities. Learn more about our COBID program: https://lnkd.in/gGghS-xS

Is your businesses "stuck" or are you a business owner who is ready to look at new ideas? Register for a CO.STARTERS Bootcamp today! CO.STARTERS Bootcamp is a 4-part workshop series designed to help you bring your business to life. There are times when your small business isn't growing as expected or generating the sales you need. The Bootcamp offers a proven framework to help identify and address key issues with your current strategy to get you on track fast. Upcoming CO.STARTERS Bootcamps are taking place in Baker City starting on April 9 (weekly meeting) and in Nehalem on April 10-11 (two-day event). Learn more: https://lnkd.in/grqW9Bd6 The CO.STARTERS program is run by Reinventing Rural and supported by Business Oregon.

Business Oregon's Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) team hosted a table and a workshop at the Oregon Small Business Summit Coos Bay event, put on by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. This educational event was designed to empower small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, grow, and strengthen their businesses. COBID certifications level the playing field by providing certified firms a fair opportunity to compete for government contracts regardless of owner ethnicity, gender, disability, or firm size. Learn more and see if your business qualifies for any certifications, here: https://lnkd.in/gGghS-xS

Business Oregon is pleased to announce that the application portal for Round Two of the Child Care Infrastructure Program will be opening on March 26, 2025. The Child Care Infrastructure Program provides critical financial assistance for infrastructure activities that support child care facilities. $15 million will be distributed to awardees in this second round of funding. Business Oregon is working with the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care, other state agencies, and private and non-profit entities to implement this grant and loan program. More: https://lnkd.in/gQsgw4aC

This week, we are showcasing the 1859 Onward blog post titled, "Oregon’s Life and Bioscience Sector Continues to Grow." This article discusses high-level results in the Oregon Bioscience Association's 2025 Economic Impact Report about the life/bioscience sector in Oregon. This sector directly supported over 28,000 jobs in 2024. Read the blog, here: https://lnkd.in/gnHAbMK5

Business Oregon, in partnership with Oregon Business & Industry, contracted with the University of Oregon to conduct a study and analysis to get answers that can inform both state policy, and actions of economic developers at the local, regional, and state levels. The project sought to better understand the nature of expansion efforts by Oregon businesses. Business Oregon plans on using the insights gathered by the study to help guide future retention and recruitment strategies. More: https://lnkd.in/gq9rVwD9

Business Oregon Director Sophorn Cheang and DEI and Community Engagement Manager Morgan Spencer joined more than 300 attendees to celebrate Women’s History Month at "An Evening with Portland State University's Center for Women’s Leadership" where $71,461 was raised to invest in women and gender-expansive leaders. Women and gender-expansive community leaders from across the region shared their own stories of growth and what investing in the Center for Women’s Leadership (CWL) makes possible. The event was hosted at The LOFT at 8th Avenue in Portland and was broadcasted live. Learn more about the CWL, here: https://lnkd.in/gd8WNcyA

In celebration of Women's History Month, we recognize and celebrate Secret Aardvark Trading Co. (known for their immensely popular Habanero Hot Sauce) for their Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification with Business Oregon's COBID program! 🎉 22% of all businesses in Oregon are owned by women, but only 6.8% of those are WBE certified. The primary goal of COBID certification is to foster an environment where every small business in Oregon can compete fairly for state, county, and city government contracts regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability, or size. When firms owned by disadvantaged individuals participate in contracting, these historically underserved businesses advance, helping enhance and strengthen our local, regional, and state economy. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gYZ9n_fu

Looking for a summer job, an internship, or the opportunity that will launch your career? Connect with Business Oregon and hundreds of other businesses at Oregon State University's 2025 All-Industries Spring Career & Internship Fair on April 16 from 11AM-3PM in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center. This event brings hundreds of professionals together in one spot, giving you the chance to ask questions about fields and industries you’re interested in, build your professional network, and even apply for jobs and internships on the spot. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gYs7xsfC

Business Oregon and the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care are excited to announce that the second round of the Child Care Infrastructure Fund will be opening March 26, 2025, at 12:00 pm. This round will consist of $15 million in grant funding for infrastructure projects that further the wellbeing of children and families in Oregon. Applications for Round Two must be submitted by 4:59 pm on April 30, 2025. Updated grant materials will be available by March 21, 2025. More info: https://lnkd.in/g9F8nSrh