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Oregon lawmakers share $38 billion budget framework amid federal uncertainty
Proposed federal cuts could blow a multi-billion-dollar hole in the state’s budget Oregon is in a better financial position than other states but could see its budget devastated by federal spending cuts, a framework released Wednesday by the Legislature’s top budget writers shows. The framework, an early step toward adopting…
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Oregon needs to build 29,500 more homes each year, chief economist says
Oregon needs to build about 29,500 more homes each year, mostly in the Portland region and Willamette Valley, to emerge from a housing shortage years in the making, the state’s chief economist told lawmakers Monday. The state’s Office of Economic Analysis recently released its first annual housing needs analysis report, with homebuilding…
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SOREDI Foundation Issues Matching Grant to Josephine County StartUps
SOREDI Foundation is proud to announce a matching gift to catalyze childcare businesses through a new pilot small business mentoring partnership between the Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub (SOELS) and Rogue Community College Small Business Development Center (RCC SBDC). The foundation gift, totaling $10,000, will be directed towards the Josephine…
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The SOREDI 2025 State of the Rogue Valley Breakfast brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and community leaders to celebrate
The 2025 State of the Rogue Valley Breakfast Brought Local Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs, Award Recipients, and Community Sponsors Together to Innovate! Medford, Ore. – February 27, 2025 – The Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc’s (SOREDI) 2025 State of the Rogue Valley Breakfast took place on February 27, 2025,…
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Bill Thorndike’s Legacy
William “Bill” Thorndike Jr., a prominent Southern Oregon business leader and dedicated community servant, passed away unexpectedly on February 15, 2025, at the age of 71. He suffered a heart attack while vacationing with his wife, Angela, at their family cabin on Whidbey Island in Washington’s Puget Sound. Born in…
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Why the Analytics/Informatics Solution Can Halt Health Plan Cost Drains
By Samantha Bradley Health plan costs continue their upward march, a source of continuing financial pain for employers (and individuals) who find managing rising medical and drug costs a constant – and seemingly futile – effort. And the pressure will continue in 2025. Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation approved median premium…
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Oregon DFR encourages people to protect themselves against relationship investment scams
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning people to be wary of an unexpected text or direct message from a stranger – it might be the first step in a relationship investment scam, also known as a romance scam or “pig butchering.”
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Keep your small business focused with a strategic plan
Creating a strategic plan for a small company is essential for ensuring that your business stays focused, grows sustainably, and adapts to changing conditions. Here’s a straightforward process that’s both practical and adaptable for small businesses: 1. Set the Foundation (Preparation) 2. Analyze the Current State (Where Are You Now?)…
Read MoreTribes, 34 organizations, receive $23 million to support home repairs
OHA’s Healthy Homes Grant Program seeks improved housing conditions, health outcomes for low-income residents to prevent displacement PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has awarded $23 million to repair and rehabilitate homes of low-income residents to eliminate risks to residents’ health to the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon and…
Read MoreOregon DEQ awards $1.2 million for community-based waste prevention projects
DEQ awarded $1.2 million in Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine grant funds to 14 recipients in 11 counties across Oregon that stood out for their vision, creativity, and potential to make a meaningful difference in waste prevention. DEQ received 110 applications from across the state in which applicants demonstrated innovation, dedication, and…
Read MoreOregon joins $17 million multistate enforcement settlement with Edward Jones
Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), a member of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), has joined a $17 million settlement with Edward D. Jones & Co. L.P. (Edward Jones) resulting from an investigation into the broker-dealer’s supervision of customers paying front-loaded commissions for Class A mutual…
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Klamath dam removal workshop at SOU fosters collaboration
(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University recently hosted the Klamath Dam Removal Research Collaboration Workshop, a follow-up seminar for the numerous groups and agencies working together on the world’s largest-ever dam removal and river restoration project. The November workshop brought together nearly 150 researchers, Tribal leaders and agency representatives to…
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