AGP Executive Report

Data Center Policy: Gov. Tina Kotek has paused environmental permits for new or expanded data centers through 2027, putting a hold on projects while Oregon weighs the industry’s impacts. Manufacturing: Stratacache is marketing its 1.2-million-square-foot Eugene factory, a former semiconductor campus that could be reused for high-tech production. Food and Agriculture: Cairnspring Mills opens its second flour mill in Pendleton on Oct. 15. The expansion could lift annual capacity from 8 million to more than 115 million pounds and create over 22 local jobs. Energy Investment: Roseburg’s sanitary authority and Ameresco marked completion of a $1 million solar-and-battery project expected to cover the agency’s main office electricity use and provide backup power. Business Services: Accounting firm CohnReznick has acquired Oregon-based Aldrich, while Waverly and Apella announced a $412 million purchase of wealth-management assets across Oregon and the Northeast.

Data Center Permits: Gov. Tina Kotek ordered Oregon regulators to pause air and water permits for new or expanding data centers until July 2027. Amazon warned the move could put thousands of jobs and billions in planned investment at risk. Driverless Cars: Portland is weighing rules for a planned Waymo fleet, including limits on vehicle numbers and a requirement to log 50,000 local miles before charging for rides. Job Cuts: Kroger plans to eliminate 3,000 corporate positions over three years, with its Portland hub among those affected; the company says the cuts are not store-level jobs. Brewery Expansion: Migration Brewing plans to open a Slabtown pub next spring, with a pizza kitchen, adding a new restaurant to the Northwest Portland neighborhood.

Freight Costs: Truckload rates rose in September as diesel topped $6 a gallon, even as van and refrigerated freight volumes slipped from August and remained below year-earlier levels. Health Insurance: Oregon’s individual-market rates are set to rise an average 21% next year, while PacificSource and Providence exit, leaving consumers four insurers to choose from. Oregon Manufacturing: Gerber Gear has moved into a new Wilsonville facility, doubling down on its Oregon operations. Mass Timber Investment: Organizers of Portland’s 2027 International Mass Timber Conference are inviting developers to pitch projects to investors, building on last year’s event, where three of five pitches entered investor discussions. Public Projects: Two state-backed rail projects costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle, raising questions about the return on public investment.

Manufacturing: Gerber Gear has moved into a new Wilsonville facility, doubling down on Oregon production. Workforce Development: Heart of Oregon Corps opened a Redmond campus built to serve more than 200 young people a year with job training, certifications and career support. Corporate Jobs: Kroger plans to cut about 3,000 corporate positions over three years as it expands AI use; Portland is among its corporate hubs, though the company hasn’t identified which roles will go. Small Business: Klamath Community College SBDC director Estella Woodley won a statewide honor; under her leadership, the center grew clients served, business starts and capital access by 50%. Craft Brewing: Oregon producers earned 35 medals at the Great American Beer Festival, including two Brewery of the Year awards. Public Investment: Two state-backed rail projects costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle, raising questions about the return on infrastructure spending.

Small Business: Oregon bakery Ocemiam opened its first permanent kiosk at Washington Square in Tigard, expanding sales for a brand already stocked at more than 30 Portland-area grocery stores. Business Support: Klamath Community College SBDC director Estella Woodley won a statewide award; under her leadership, the center increased clients served, business starts and capital access by 50%. Investment: Genentech broke ground on a $750 million Hillsboro expansion expected to add 250 manufacturing jobs and 200 construction jobs, with operations planned for 2031. Jobs: A Medford delivery facility closure will eliminate 170 jobs. Infrastructure: Two state-backed Oregon rail projects costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle, raising questions about the return on public investment. Health Costs: Two insurers are leaving Oregon’s health market, while remaining carriers are raising rates by 22%.

Port Costs: The Port of Astoria approved a 25-year, $1.8 million Business Oregon loan to help cover a $2.1 million oil-spill cleanup bill. Small-Business Boost: Sisters’ Harvest Faire drew more than 10,000 visitors and 180 vendors; organizers say the annual event supports artists’ incomes and fills local hotels and restaurants. Insurance Pressure: Two insurers are leaving Oregon’s health coverage market, while carriers that remain are raising rates by 22%. Public Investment: Two state-backed rail projects have cost more than $70 million but remain mostly idle.

Disaster Aid: Oregon businesses hit by 2026 wildfires and drought can seek SBA disaster loans, with $2 million available. Rail Investment: Two state-backed rail projects costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle, raising questions about returns on public investment. Health Costs: Two insurers are leaving Oregon’s health market, while those staying plan rate increases of up to 22%. Housing Development: Construction has started on a Portland apartment complex aimed at middle-income families near Old Town.

Small Business: A former Adidas vice president has opened Good Vibe Gallery in Oregon City, showcasing work by 50 Pacific Northwest artists after an 11-year career at the company. Health-Care Costs: Two insurers are leaving Oregon’s market, while those staying are raising rates by 22%—a pressure point for employers and households. Public Investment: Two state-backed rail projects costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle, raising questions about the return on public spending. Rural Businesses: Federal disaster loans are available to Oregon businesses affected by wildfires and drought. Wine Industry: Oregon’s grape harvest is underway as wine sales decline, putting pressure on a key agricultural sector.

Entrepreneurship: After 11 years at Adidas, former merchandising vice president Stephanie Decker used a layoff package to open Good Vibe Gallery in downtown Oregon City, showcasing work by 50 Pacific Northwest artists. Public Investment: Two Oregon rail-shipping centers built with more than $70 million in public funding remain mostly idle, with one unfinished and the other dormant, leaving promised savings for farmers unrealized. Health Costs: Oregon regulators approved a 21.6% average increase in individual health-plan rates for 2027, adding pressure on households and employers as the insurance market shifts. Workforce: Oregon’s professional and technical services employers filed 290 H-1B petitions in 2025, down 13.4% from the year before; 281 were approved. Business Relief: The SBA is offering Oregon businesses disaster loans for losses tied to 2026 wildfires and ongoing drought. Wine Industry: Oregon’s grape harvest is underway as wine sales continue to fall.

Workforce Housing: Coastal Community Bank is investing in a fund financing attainable housing in Oregon and Washington, targeting working families priced out of both subsidized and market-rate homes. Public Investment: Two Oregon rail projects backed by more than $70 million in state funding remain mostly idle. One is unfinished; the other is complete but dormant, leaving promised savings for farmers and freight emissions cuts unrealized. Tourism: Tillamook’s historic blimp hangar and Air Museum are set to reopen Oct. 29 after a Utah nonprofit bought the hangar for $1 and took on repairs. Wine Business: Oregon’s grape harvest is underway, but falling wine sales are clouding prospects for the state’s producers.

Workforce: Amazon delivery contractor Rainforest Routes plans to close its Medford facility on Dec. 7, eliminating 170 jobs; the company also operates in Tualatin. Public Investment: Two Oregon-backed rail projects costing more than $70 million remain largely idle, with one unfinished and the other dormant despite promises of lower shipping costs and emissions. Semiconductors: Intel and Applied Materials are expanding research on advanced chip integration, including work at Intel’s Hillsboro campus, targeting future processors and AI workloads. Food Manufacturing: Ashland Dehydrated Foods bought two dehydration machines and licensed the technology, adding capacity for snacks, meals and pet food. Consumer Finance: Oregon regulators say they have recovered nearly $33 million for consumers since 2023, handling cases involving mortgages, banking, insurance and other financial services. Restaurant Growth: Papa Murphy’s signed three franchise agreements to pair its pizza shops with Pinkberry, aiming to share space, labor and operating costs.

Consumer Protection: Oregon has recovered $32.8 million for consumers as federal protections weaken, according to the state. Higher Education: Oregon State’s agricultural college faces a $7.3 million shortfall this year, after a $4.9 million gap last year; cuts are affecting staffing, course offerings and class capacity. Data Centers: Hillsboro is moving to restrict land for data centers, adding to local debate over the industry’s demands on utilities and communities. Business Relief: Federal disaster loans are available to Oregon businesses in 25 counties hit by wildfires. Tax Policy: Progressive groups have announced a wealth-tax initiative aimed at Oregon’s 2028 ballot.

Governor’s Race: Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan clashed in their second debate over affordability, taxes and data centers. Kotek left open possible tax changes to make Oregon more competitive for businesses. Retail Innovation: VenHub plans its first Bend smart store at Penn Lofts, extending its automated retail model into multifamily housing. Disaster Relief: Federal disaster loans are available to businesses in 25 Oregon counties affected by wildfires and drought. Eugene Measure: Voters will decide whether to create a clean-energy fund financed by fees on some large retailers; supporters cite climate projects, while critics warn the cost could reach shoppers. Jobs and Investment: Genentech has broken ground on an Oregon manufacturing facility, while Nike’s restructuring includes plans to move some Oregon jobs overseas.

Disaster Aid: Oregon businesses, agricultural cooperatives and nonprofits in 25 counties affected by 2026 wildfires and storms can apply for SBA working-capital loans of up to $2 million; the deadline is July 1, 2027. Startup Investment: The Oregon AI Accelerator has selected 14 startups for its second cohort, adding to the state’s growing technology pipeline. Business Taxes: Oregon collected $20.4 million in severance taxes in 2024, up 22.4% from the prior year, while sales and gross-receipts tax revenue fell 1%. Industry Watch: Oregon’s grape harvest is underway as wine sales decline, putting pressure on growers and producers. Nike, meanwhile, reported a 4% first-quarter revenue drop and plans to move some Oregon jobs overseas as part of a restructuring.

Disaster Aid: Oregon businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture firms and nonprofits affected by summer storms, wildfires or drought may qualify for SBA working-capital loans of up to $2 million. Applications are due July 1, 2027. Connectivity Investment: AT&T, Global Infrastructure Partners and CPP Investments plan a fiber joint venture that includes Oregon among 16 states. The deal is expected to close in 2027 and could expand broadband infrastructure. Wine Industry: Oregon’s grape harvest is underway, but declining wine sales are weighing on the sector as producers bring in this year’s crop. Startups: The Oregon AI Accelerator has launched a second cohort with 14 AI-focused startups from across the region.

Antitrust Watch: A coalition led by Illinois AG Kwame Raoul won a key court decision letting an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage’s rent-pricing algorithm move forward, keeping pressure on algorithm-driven rent setting. Local Economy & Housing: Portland Public Schools is weighing closing up to 20 schools in fall 2027, with enrollment targets driving the plan and critics pushing for school-level budgeting instead. Energy & Climate Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to weigh whether local governments can use state law to force oil companies to help pay for climate-related damage, a case that could reshape how climate lawsuits proceed. Data Centers & Water: In Washington, protesters and local officials are clashing with Amazon’s Walla Walla data center plan, with concerns centered on transparency and water impacts. Oregon Business & Community: The McKenzie River Chamber is exploring a roughly 60-mile “Main Street” model to connect communities, businesses, and tourism along Highway 126. Public Health & Food Safety: WinCo recalled certain salsa bean dip trays in multiple states, including Oregon, after a peperoncini ingredient was linked to a pest-related recall. Regional Business Travel: Delta launched a new daily nonstop route between Santa Rosa and Salt Lake City, adding competition and curbside check-in at the Sonoma County airport.