PDC recently completed City's Economic Development Strategy, that includes an approach to attracting and growing target industries.

PDC currently working on Neighborhood Economic Development Strategy that, in addition to looking for target industry job grownt, also focuses on job growth along commercial corridors and within all of Portland's neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Economic Development Strategy Website: http://www.pdc.us/bus_serv/ned.asp Portland Economic Development Website: http://pdxeconomicdevelopment.com/

PDC offers Storefront Improvement Grants in all of the Gateway URA and along commercial corridors in the Lents URA.

PDC Storefront Improvement Grant Website: http://www.pdc.us/pubs/inv_detail.asp?id=179&ty=46

Division Midway Alliance (DMA) took advantage of as many neighborhood summer events as possible. We attended 7 different community events from July 21 to September 16 and grew our email list to over 150. Currently 237 community members and 87 businesses, neighborhood associations, civic & faith based organizations support DMA’s efforts. At community events we asked opinions of area residents regarding their choices for businesses they would like to see along Division Street; residents’ main concern was the commercial node of 122nd Ave and Division which has many empty storefronts.

Division Midway Alliance used the survey it developed to discover how the community wants the organization to spend $50,000 in capital improvement projects in the commercial district. 12.6% of respondents expressed an interest in seeing business spruce ups. Because of this, the capital improvement committee is creating Storefront Improvement Grants that any business located between 117th & 148th Avenues along SE Division Street will be able to apply for and receive. These grants should be available by summer 2015.

See Gateway Business Development Strategy. PDC also leading Lents Business Development Strategy that focuses on Lents Town Center.

Gateway Business Development Strategy: http://www.pdc.us/ura/gateway/membs-mins-notes/businessdev/bds-committee.asp

The EPAP Economic Development Subcommittee recruited a team of 7 Portland State University students to assist with outreach to businesses. The PSU team is planning an East Portland Small Business Forum for early May 2011.

This project is staffed by senior swimmers from Mt. Hood Aquatics (MHA)and David Douglas High School students. Action plan item EC.4.2 is addressed because the lessons provide part-time jobs for teenagers in a safe environment while building skills for future employment such as commitment, working in groups, leadership, mentoring, working with children of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and teaching.

The MHA swim team and DDHS students learned the skills to hold a job, teach by example, and mentor younger children. It provided the opportunity for a high school junior to co-write a grant and understand both the fiscal issues and how important volunteers are in balancing a project budget. In addition, an eighth grade student volunteered twice a week to assist with registering the swimmers. This was equal or better to any internship in customer service and job skills.

The video produced by the Building Cultural Bridges project interviews key members of the Portland city council,minority business organizations, and explores the dynamic between workforce realities and the Bhutanese cultural community. By creating a film about the obstacles and realities of the Bhutanese community with relation to work, we have created a lasting reference for business owners to understand the situation of the refugees and have more cultural understanding. Second, by inviting members of OAME, the Neighborhood Business Alliance, community organizations, as well as members of the Bhutanese community to the film screening, we have attempted to create direct dialogue between the groups, by facilitating the space and conversation starters by which communication can happen.

The Growing Entrepreneurs program at Fir Ridge Campus connected with community organizations and businesses to teach students about financial literacy, business development, marketing and the local food system.

Maxaction is working with Trimet and other community partners to develop, train members, and implement an Adopt a Station program at the Max stations.

At summer events, Division Midway Alliance (DMA) was successful at planting a seed in the minds of many East Portland residents that culturally diverse economic development would be on the rise in our communities. DMA is making financial grant requests, creating fundraising events, and asking for donations from local businesses in order to raise $30K that PDC will match to further the Division-Midway Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative.

Four multi-cultural, multi-lingual youth were provided with professional mentors and developed relationships with neighborhood business people through the ROSE Community Development Corporations's 1planet Marketing Project.

Division Midway Alliance (DMA) staff and volunteers continue to build and develop relationships between the business community and other community organizations by offering FREE professional business technical assistance, workforce development office hours, business owner networking events, community events like the Midway Harvest Festival and the Midway Night Market. Staff worked with Venture Portland, Commissioner Nick Fish's staff and East Portland business associations to establish additional funding to hire staff to help East Portland business districts build capacity to bring them into parity with the rest of Portland.

The 2015 Lents Street Fair helps to support/promote economic growth in the neighborhood.

This project addressed EC4.4., which states “Develop a comprehensive plan to train, place, and advance East Portland residents in career track living wage jobs.” Over the project period, Portland Youth Builders (PYB's) Admissions Coordinator Ruthie Ditzler and Equity and Admissions Manager Rana Uzzaman led recruitment efforts in Lents and East Portland. These efforts included regular Thursday “info sessions” at PYB’s main location at 4816 S.E. 92nd, and other sites throughout our service area. PYB offers a multi-year program of education, vocational training, leadership development, community service, and long term support to 200 low income youth each year. PYB students complete high school while acquiring the skills, values, and experience necessary to be prepared for post-secondary success. The PYB program gives young people the opportunity to develop the tools necessary to pursue college and/or entry level jobs in the construction trades and apprenticeship programs, the technology field, or other careers.

12 Native American adults joined Wisdom's 3-month workforce training program, gaining workforce readiness skills (communication, networking, technology, literacy, resume building) and career pathway planning in environmental assessment and habitat restoration with partner organizations in Southeast Portland.