Why Businesses Need to Pay More Attention to Oregon’s Education System
By State Representative Tracy Cramer (HD 22-Woodburn), In 2021 (before I had the honor of representing House District 22), the Legislature passed SB 744 to suspend graduation standards that ensured kids could read, write, and do math before earning a diploma. That...
Oregon’s growing Hispanic population helps economy
A recent report by Oregon’s Office of Economic Analysis revealed a big increase in the state’s Hispanic and Latino population over the last 50 years and analyzes how this growth helps fuel Oregon’s workforce and economy. In the report that analyzed 2020 Census data it...
Oregon Latina restauranteur perseveres after pandemic
While many restaurants and businesses are closing in and around Portland, Oregon some restaurant owners like Maria Garcia are bucking the trend and opening new businesses. Garcia is representative of the restaurant industry, which according to the US Census, has more...
OHBA and Progreso Hispano Host Wellness Workshop
The Oregon Hispanic Business Association recently sponsored a Progreso Hispano Financial Wellness Workshop. The September 2022 event at the Salem Chamber of Commerce Building focused on strategies for building and protecting personal financial health. Other...
Shop Local Campaign Begins
The Oregon Hispanic Business Association has launched a statewide "Shop Local" campaign to encourage consumers to support local businesses. Support Your Local Economy Consumers are looking for smart ways to stretch their budgets this year with inflation rates reaching...
Serving others secret to success for Salem business leader
As children, Jose Gonzalez and his five siblings picked strawberries and other produce every summer outside Woodburn, Ore., to help support their family. Today, he’s founding president of the Latino Business Alliance, a member of the Salem City Council, and owner of...
La Plaza Esperanza, a Latina Community Center, Closes in on Fundraising Goal
Latino Network has a capital campaign goal of $18M to build La Plaza Esperanza, a new community center in Gresham’s Rockwood neighborhood. More than $11,700,000 has been committed to the project according to the campaign progress update. If they receive $2.7 million...
Hispanic-owned banks: Nation 55, Oregon 0
Hispanics own 55 banks and credit unions nationwide, but none yet in Oregon. The only state on the West Coast to make the list was California, where five financial institutions are owned by Hispanics. New Jersey has two, and Florida has eight financial institutions...
Bill forces stores to accept cash
Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill that requires retailers in Oregon to accept cash. The measure, SB 1565, excluded transactions such as those at farmers markets, roadside stands, and aboard airplanes, and it allows businesses to refuse to take coins for purchases of...
Crime wave driving store owners to leave Portland
Tamale Boy headquarters moves out of Portland over crimeTamale Boy owner Jaime Soltero, Jr. opened his first food truck in 2010 in Portland. Headquartered in North Portland, Tamale Boy also has a NE Portland location and a suburban Happy Valley location. Pre-pandemic...