City Launches New Initiative to Support Small Business
- Hillsdale News
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
[April 26, 2025]
Prosper Portland, the city's economic and urban development agency, has launched the Office of Small Business as the key support hub for small businesses—whether, existing, new, or in the planning stages. If you own or are starting a small business in Portland, storefront or home-based, you’ll want to learn about this new resource.
Julieanna Elegant, district 4 liaison for the office, told the Hillsdale News that this function is completely new to Portland, although many cities have had similar offices for years. “The need in Portland has long been discussed, and there’s a lot of excitement to finally be able to launch!”
While plans for the office were already underway, its launch was followed closely by the announcement that Prosper Portland plans to eliminate funding for Venture Portland, a separate city-funded organization that has provided grant and technical support to Portland business districts since 1986. In an email announcing the decision, interim director for economic development R. Andrew Fitzpatrick emphasized that Prosper Portland "remains committed to supporting all business districts throughout the city," and pledged that the agency would work to maintain similar levels of grant funding and internal support.
Elegant and her colleagues have begun outreach to business owners, business district associations, non-profits and community groups to spread the word about the new office and gather feedback as they continue to refine their programs. In addition to launching a website and social media channels, staff will hold "office hours" in the community, beginning with a stop in Hillsdale on May 1 at PDX Coffee Club from 10:30am-12:30pm.
The Office of Small Business team includes a manager and three district liaisons whose mission is to help business owners navigate city services, connect with resources, and to celebrate small business. Services will be available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Any business operating within the city of Portland qualifies for assistance, including home-based businesses.
The Office of Small Business will focus on three main areas:
Navigating local government services
Opening a storefront or planning an expansion? The office aims to address one of small businesses’ biggest challenges: navigating city services. Staff will serve as a central point of contact to streamline communication with city departments, including permitting and environmental services, helping small businesses move through processes more smoothly.
A website is being developed that will offer a high-level overview of city processes, as well as guides and links to relevant city bureaus.
The office will also help business owners stay informed about infrastructure projects, like road repairs, that could affect their operations. “We want to improve the service delivery and referral process, particularly in coordination with the City of Portland,” Elegant said.
Connecting to city and community resources
The Office of Small Business can connect businesses to Prosper Portland programs, such as grants, loans, and technical assistance programs. Beyond city resources, the office will help business owners access support from other organizations such as nonprofits and local business district association.
“If you’re just starting a business,” Elegant said, “this is a great time to reach out. We can help connect you to community organizations that specialize in business planning and navigating local guidelines.”
She added that the office aims to “meet businesses where they are”—helping owners tackle immediate needs without overwhelming them, and providing ongoing support as they grow.
Celebrating Portland’s small businesses
The office will highlight small businesses throughout the city through social media and a newsletter. In early May the office will launch a "Show Up for Small Business" campaign encouraging people throughout the city to support small business in specific neighborhoods. More events are expected as the office’s programs develop.
Want to learn more?
Business owners can visit the Office of Small Business website to sign up for the newsletter or submit a contact form. The newsletter shares resources and announces liaison visits to the community.
Prosper Portland is funded through a combination of local property tax revenue via tax-increment financing (TIF), contributions from the City of Portland’s general fund, state and federal grants, and special purpose taxes such as the Portland Clean Energy Fund and recreational cannabis taxes.
