For Businesses

Business Programs

PDC connects people and resources to create jobs, support business growth and revitalize neighborhoods. Guided by the city’s Economic Development Strategy, the agency focuses on explicit investments in the fundamentals of economic development: business expansion and retention, workforce training, innovation, catalytic projects and an ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurs and small businesses. We work with businesses, property owners and non-profits to identify needs and eligibility for assistance, and then find the program that fits best.

Meet your Business Development Officers

PDC has two teams of business development officers who assist:

Cluster industries: Advanced Manufacturing, Athletic & Outdoor, Clean Tech and Software. read more >
Neighborhood-based businesses. read more >

PDC programs & products available citywide

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Clean Energy Works Oregon

This program provides free home energy assessments and low-cost financing for energy efficiency upgrades. The program is available city-wide, with extra funding & marketing in the Interstate and Lents URAs. learn more >
Financial Assistance and Loans

The Business Finance Program is a gap financing and job creation tool that offers several loan funds to assist businesses with equipment purchases, property acquisition, working capital and credit enhancement. learn more >
Location Services

PDC partners with Greater Portland, Inc. and other key organizations to promote Portland globally as a competitive location to start, grow, or locate a business. We work with you to identify resources for starting, expanding or moving your business to Portland. learn more >
Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative

The goal of the NPI is to strengthen neighborhood business districts’economic competitiveness through community-planned and community-implemented actions and projects. learn more >
Lean/Efficiency Improvement Services

Since 2004, the PDC has collaborated with the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership to provide lean/efficiency improvement consultations for more than 50 Portland manufacturers. PDC provides a 50% match of up to $12,500 for OMEP services to qualified companies. learn more >
Portland Enterprise Zone Program

The E-Zone program allows companies (industrial and/or electronic commerce firms) that will be making a substantial new capital investment a waiver of 100% of the amount of real property taxes attributable to the new investment for a 5-year period of time. learn more >
Portland Main Street Program

This program is intended to build the capacity of neighborhood business districts by providing financial assistance, training, and technical assistance. learn more >
Resources for Businesses

The Business Portland website offers links for business owners to technical assistance and resources, such as the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Zero Waste Alliance, and OSU’s Food Innovation Center, all of which are supported by PDC. learn more >
Technical Assistance

The Small Business Development Program (SBDP) and the Economic Opportunity Initiative Microenterprise Program (EOI-Micro) are initiatives of the Portland Development Commission and the City of Portland that aim to create, grow and strengthen micro and small businesses through technical assistance and training. Non-profit organizations will deliver technical assistance and training to approximately 500 businesses each year. Businesses may also receive business legal services, credit repair assistance and access to market research. learn more >
Venture Portland

PDC helps fund Venture Portland (formerly APNBA) in order to build the capacity of business associations and provide technical assistance. learn more >

PDC programs & products available within URAs

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Commercial Property Redevelopment Loan

The Commercial Property Redevelopment Loan (CPRL) Program assists private partners with redevelopment, new development and tenant improvements that encourage property revitalization and wealth creation. learn more >
Community Livability Grants

Community Livability Grants are offered for real property improvements at new or existing community facilities, in open spaces, or to preserve historic or cultural community assets with the intent of benefiting the broader community. learn more >
Development Opportunity Services Grants

The Development Opportunity Services (DOS) Program assists property owners (and, in some cases, tenants) in evaluating a potential project’s feasibility by providing real estate development expertise and technical assistance. learn more >
Green Features Grant

The Green Features Grant assists businesses in making sustainable improvements and in adopting sustainable practices. learn more >
Storefront Improvement Program

The Storefront Improvement Program provides cash grants and technical assistance to business and property owners in eligible neighborhoods. Recipients can use the support for a variety of improvements, from repainting and signage to purchase of new windows and awnings. learn more >