Oregon's Economy

[downtownpdx]

Oregon entrepreneurship boom accelerates in pandemic’s wake

Published: Feb. 11, 2024, 7:03 a.m.

By Mike Rogoway | The Oregonian/OregonLive

The number of new businesses in Oregon jumped by more than 30% in the most recent federal data compared to pre-pandemic levels. State economists consider it a sign of renewal in the state’s economy.

“That’s a long-run driver of innovation, is from new businesses,” Josh Lehner, from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, told state lawmakers last week.

Oregonians started 14,000 businesses in 2022, up from an annual average of 10,600 from 2017 through 2019. Lehner said that’s a hopeful sign that could help offset the economic headwinds created by slow population growth.


New businesses are more innovative and nimble, Lehner told lawmakers, and less prone to bureaucratic inertia. And he said the more new businesses that emerge, the greater the chance that some of them grow into big employers and economic stalwarts.

continues : https://www.oregonlive.com/business/...mics-wake.html

[maccoinnich]

A fascinating presentation from Mike Wilkerson of ECONorthwest about region's economy.

• Video Link