"I value the creation and nurturing of a vibrant community where economic prosperity is shared by everyone," -Mayor Wheeler
FY24-25 Budget
Economic Development & Affordability
- Establishment of Office of Small Business
- Additional $500,000 for Small Business Repair Grants
- Full funding for Office of Events & Film
- Full funding for newly established Portland Permitting and Development
- $32 million of PCEF for affordable housing
Programs
With the City of Portland continuing to grow at an unprecedented rate, the Mayor is working to close the wealth gap between lower-income and middle-income families. He does this through collaboration with Commissioner Carmen Rubio and Prosper Portland, the city's economic and urban development agency. Prosper works with public, private, and community partners to deliver on strategic objectives, initiatives, projects and programs designed to benefit all Portlanders.
In April 2023, Portland City Council approved a five-year citywide plan, Advance Portland: A Call to Action for Inclusive Economic Growth. This plan guides Prosper Portland's work on building and strengthening an equitable economy.
Mayor Wheeler has developed the Central City Recovery Plan to ensure the cultural center and economic engine of our city and state can be a safe and welcoming place for all people to live, work, and visit.
He also spear-headed the launch of Portland Means Progress with an unprecedented coalition of more than a dozen business and multicultural organizations. Portland Means Progress will enable local companies with three to 23,000 employees to grow and to help Portland grow more equitably by:
- Committing to pay employees a minimum of $15 per hour
- Creating internship and job opportunities for underrepresented youth
- Increasing purchasing from diverse businesses
- Changing business culture to be more inclusive
Economic Relief Partners
We’re all in this together, so we’re working together with partners from all over the region and state to ensure economic and social resilience and recovery. The City of Portland thanks its partners who are helping everyone in our community get through this crisis.
Business for a Better Portland (BBP)
Portland Business Alliance (PBA)
Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC)
The Black American Chamber of Commerce (BACC)
Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon (PACCO)
Oregon Native American Chamber (ONACC)