Our Work

Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative

As part of the implementation of the Neighborhood Economic Development (NED) Strategy, the City of Portland and Portland Development Commission have established the Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative (NPI). The goal of the NPI is to strengthen the economic competitiveness of neighborhood business districts through community-planned and community-implemented actions and projects.

Specifically, NPI areas will focus on:

Increasing the visibility of the business district
Growing more jobs
Strengthening existing businesses
Filling vacant spaces

With support from the PDC and the City, each neighborhood will be best positioned to decide what actions and projects will improve its local business districts.

The following six communities are NPI Urban Renewal Areas:

Our 42nd Avenue View boundary > Website >	Cully Boulevard Alliance View boundary >	Parkrose NPI View boundary >
Rosewood Initiative View boundary > Website >	Division-Midway Alliance View boundary >	Jade District (82nd Ave & Division) View boundary >

View a map of all six areas >

Who needs to be involved?

Neighborhood buy-in is critical. That’s why the process starts with organizing a broad cross-section of
people representing the area’s business community, residents, property owners, district organizations, and community groups. Everyone with a stake in the district and its future should be involved in preparing the best plan for the neighborhood.

What support will be available from the city long-term?

The Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative is similar in many respects to the City’s Main Street Program. The management of the district will occur at a local level. PDC’s role will be to support the districts in their management of the district through seed funding, technical assistance, and overall support, as outlined below.

Local management

It has been proven that community economic development is most successful when there is a paid staff person who is focused on moving the community’s vision forward. In July 2012, PDC anticipates providing an annual grant of $30,000 to match annual community fundraising to hire a local district manager and get the work off the ground.

Capital improvement projects

Each of the selected NPI areas will become small urban renewal areas (URA) administered by the local NPI district. URAs generate revenue through tax increment financing, or TIF, which will provide NPI districts funding for capital improvement projects such as: improvements to business exteriors and interiors, street furniture, trash cans, lighting, district signage, gateway markers, and other small-scale, permanent capital improvements.

It is anticipated funding from the URA will be available by February 2014, with approximately $65,000 available for projects in the first year. Each district’s investment of TIF funds will be guided by a community developed action plan and implemented consistent with statutory requirements.

On the ground support

PDC will work with community leaders in March of 2012 to begin orientation and training for the work ahead. We anticipate that this will involve a mix of: business district management basics, leadership development, organizational development, and fundraising training. This organizational capacity-building and creation of strong leaders at a local level is imperative to a successful community-driven process. Training and support will continue once districts begin operation in July 2012.

Contact us

Dana DeKlyen
503-823-3312 or deklyend@pdc.us

Project Documents

Training

PDC offers workshops designed for the leaders of Portland’s neighborhood districts and local organizations. Register for 2013 Workshops >