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Why Mount Hood's McNeil Point is worth the climb

Big views, wildflowers and a challenging climb make this Mount Hood favorite worth the effort.

Things to Do

The McNeil Point trail packs misty forests, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildflowers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/27/gorge-wildflowers-peak-bloom-trails-spring" data-vars-content-id="1b75e7a6-ff52-451b-9380-e85fab552a82" data-vars-headline="Why Mount Hood&#x27;s McNeil Point is worth the climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/27/gorge-wildflowers-peak-bloom-trails-spring" target="_self">wildflowers</a> and one of the best close-up views of Mount Hood into one demanding, but rewarding, day hike.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="McNeil Point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/mcneil-point-trail" data-vars-content-id="1b75e7a6-ff52-451b-9380-e85fab552a82" data-vars-headline="Why Mount Hood&#x27;s McNeil Point is worth the climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/mcneil-point-trail" target="_blank">McNeil Point</a> is one of the most popular hikes on Mount Hood, and for good reason.

Oregon's roadless forests face new threat

Nearly 2 million protected acres could see new roads, logging and development.

Environment

The Trump administration moved this week to eliminate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening vast areas in Oregon to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2001 federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">2001 federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

Demolition begins at fire-damaged Centennial Mills

Crews used controlled explosives to bring down the blighted landmark's rooftop water tower.

News

<figure><img alt="Gif of a building explosion" height="720" id="fb467b70-c0f5-4ef2-95d0-81afd0905fcb" src="https://images.axios.com/7Wuavs0ugxPhRm21QGW6skiDiFo=/0x0:1280x720/2026/08/17/1787006044676.gif" width="1280"/><figcaption>Big boom. Image: Kale Williams/Axios</figcaption></figure>Demolition of the fire-ravaged <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centennial Mills building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/10/centennial-mills-collapse-risk-freight-trains" data-vars-content-id="b2f79ebd-c578-44dd-9aef-72c20400a56b" data-vars-headline="Demolition begins at fire-damaged Centennial Mills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/10/centennial-mills-collapse-risk-freight-trains" target="_self">Centennial Mills building</a> began Monday, starting with four controlled explosions to bring down the building&#x27;s rooftop water tower.State of play: Ever since a blaze gutted the blighted 116-year-old Northwest Portland landmark earlier this month, nearby residents and property owners have been on their toes as city officials warn the unstable structure is at risk of collapse.

Thorns to honor Tobin Heath as club icon retires

The Thorns legend will be honored before Friday's match at Providence Park.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thorns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/19/thorns-home-opener-new-coach-roster-questions" data-vars-content-id="92ba2cf4-35e1-4ce5-997f-411f67f848fa" data-vars-headline="Thorns to honor Tobin Heath as club icon retires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/19/thorns-home-opener-new-coach-roster-questions" target="_self">Thorns</a> will honor an icon Friday with a pre-match ceremony to mark the retirement of Tobin Heath, one of the club&#x27;s most impactful players.The big picture: Heath helped Portland win two NWSL championships and was a key part of the U.S. Women&#x27;s National Team during one of its most successful stretches.

Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking

The state moved farther from Gov. Tina Kotek's top-10 goal.

Oregon fell three spots to No. 42 in CNBC&#x27;s annual ranking of the best states for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="62281e80-7efb-4788-b32f-2cdd48d8b09b" data-vars-headline="Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" target="_self">business</a>, released on Thursday.Why it matters: Gov. Tina Kotek <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made it her goal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon&#x27;s_Prosperity_Roadmap_December_2025.pdf" data-vars-content-id="62281e80-7efb-4788-b32f-2cdd48d8b09b" data-vars-headline="Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon&#x27;s_Prosperity_Roadmap_December_2025.pdf" target="_blank">made it her goal</a> to crack the ranking&#x27;s top 10. Instead, we&#x27;re moving in the opposite direction.

The hurdles in Kotek's economic prosperity roadmap

Rethinking the state's tax structure would be the most "politically difficult."

To revive Oregon&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sluggish economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" target="_self">sluggish economy</a>, Gov. Tina Kotek&#x27;s Prosperity Council says the state needs to overhaul everything from its tax structure to its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regulatory system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/portland-s-construction-permitting-timeline-lags-behind-vancouver" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/portland-s-construction-permitting-timeline-lags-behind-vancouver" target="_self">regulatory system</a>.Why it matters: Business leaders have spent years warning that Oregon is losing out on jobs and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billions of dollars in investment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">billions of dollars in investment</a> due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red tape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2026/02/12/oregons-economy-has-lagged-for-decades-some-blame-a-shrinking-workforce-and-too-much-red-tape/" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2026/02/12/oregons-economy-has-lagged-for-decades-some-blame-a-shrinking-workforce-and-too-much-red-tape/" target="_blank">red tape</a>, workforce shortages and high costs.

Why one Oregon farm is embracing hospitality

The Ground uses lodging, restaurants and retreats to support its 500-acre farm.

Margins can be razor-thin for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="small farms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/02/small-farms-food-program-gets-local-lifeline" data-vars-content-id="870e15ad-bce1-499e-a52e-00d5ac4c2d28" data-vars-headline="Why one Oregon farm is embracing hospitality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/02/small-farms-food-program-gets-local-lifeline" target="_self">small farms</a> in Oregon, leaving some to try out a new crop: hospitality.Why it matters: As the number of farms <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continues to decline" data-vars-click-url="https://extension.oregonstate.edu/es/node/229291/printable/print" data-vars-content-id="870e15ad-bce1-499e-a52e-00d5ac4c2d28" data-vars-headline="Why one Oregon farm is embracing hospitality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://extension.oregonstate.edu/es/node/229291/printable/print" target="_blank">continues to decline</a>, more operators are turning to agritourism as a way to survive while connecting people with the land and the food it produces.

How Vancouver is winning over small businesses

New funding, partnerships and city support are making the once-sleepy suburb more attractive.

Vancouver is courting small businesses with incentives and support as its recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/20/clark-county-population-growth-oregon-exodus" data-vars-content-id="28c282ab-85a3-4f71-8a27-362f0c5d5479" data-vars-headline="How Vancouver is winning over small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/20/clark-county-population-growth-oregon-exodus" target="_self">population boom</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multimillion-dollar redevelopment projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/06/21/vancouver-waterfront-near-completion" data-vars-content-id="28c282ab-85a3-4f71-8a27-362f0c5d5479" data-vars-headline="How Vancouver is winning over small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/06/21/vancouver-waterfront-near-completion" target="_self">multimillion-dollar redevelopment projects</a> reshape the city.Why it matters: Clark County <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has led the region" data-vars-click-url="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/2026-state-of-the-economy/" data-vars-content-id="28c282ab-85a3-4f71-8a27-362f0c5d5479" data-vars-headline="How Vancouver is winning over small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/2026-state-of-the-economy/" target="_blank">has led the region</a> in job growth every year since the pandemic, outpacing much larger counties like Multnomah and Washington.

Salt & Straw explores sale at $200M valuation

The Oregon ice cream brand is weighing a deal to support future growth.

Business

Portland&#x27;s long-running ice cream icon, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt &amp; Straw" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/28/salt-straw-s-new-chef-collabs-look-wildly-good" data-vars-content-id="b54074e7-2646-4097-84a1-df309bd35df7" data-vars-headline="Salt &amp; Straw explores sale at $200M valuation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/28/salt-straw-s-new-chef-collabs-look-wildly-good" target="_self">Salt &amp; Straw</a>, is up for sale at a valuation of roughly $200 million, per media reports.Why it matters: A sale could help fund the artisan frozen confectioner&#x27;s next phase of growth as the brand expands beyond its West Coast roots.

Oregon's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

A Yale analysis finds about 72% of Oregon hospitals are concentrated under a few systems.

Health

Oregon&#x27;s health care system is heavily consolidated among just a few hospital systems, a dynamic that has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/18/ohsu-legacy-health-merger-oregon" data-vars-content-id="17aeab07-b44b-4096-8285-2c6fe4b46dee" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/18/ohsu-legacy-health-merger-oregon" target="_self">raised concern</a> among critics and state lawmakers in the past.Why it matters: As rising health care costs put more financial strain on Americans, &quot;one major and underappreciated factor driving price increases is rising consolidation among U.S. hospitals,&quot; according to Yale&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Health Care Affordability Lab" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" data-vars-content-id="17aeab07-b44b-4096-8285-2c6fe4b46dee" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" target="_blank">Health Care Affordability Lab</a>.

Finding solutions for Oregon's business struggles

A business leader calls for major tax, land use and regulatory changes.

This story is part of a four-part Axios Portland series examining Oregon&#x27;s business competitiveness.As economic stagnation becomes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a greater threat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">a greater threat</a> in Oregon, the state&#x27;s long-held policies for containing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sprawl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/15/oregon-land-use-laws-willamette-valley-farms-urban-development-commercial-farmers-crops/" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/15/oregon-land-use-laws-willamette-valley-farms-urban-development-commercial-farmers-crops/" target="_blank">sprawl</a> and preserving farms and forestland are seen by some as hindering business growth.Why it matters: Slowing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026/01/oregon-population-growth-among-slowest-in-the-nation.html" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026/01/oregon-population-growth-among-slowest-in-the-nation.html" target="_blank">population growth</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private sector instability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/23/intel-oregon-future-layoffs-investment" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/23/intel-oregon-future-layoffs-investment" target="_self">private sector instability</a>, Portland&#x27;s spotty downtown recovery, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new tariff exposure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/23/oregon-supreme-court-trump-tariffs-670m-refunds" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/23/oregon-supreme-court-trump-tariffs-670m-refunds" target="_self">new tariff exposure</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a workforce strained" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/11/small-businesses-rising-costs-reputation-challenges" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/11/small-businesses-rising-costs-reputation-challenges" target="_self">a workforce strained</a> by Oregon&#x27;s high tax system are all converging at once — prompting lawmakers and business leaders to treat economic competitiveness with a new level of urgency.

Portland small businesses feel squeeze of costs and bureaucracy

Owners cite higher expenses, taxes and reputation concerns as key pressures.

This story is part of a four-part Axios Portland series examining Oregon&#x27;s business competitiveness.Portland has long been seen as a haven for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="small businesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="86d39de4-8a76-42e1-93f3-420934ef51f3" data-vars-headline="Portland small businesses feel squeeze of costs and bureaucracy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" target="_self">small businesses</a>, a city with the ingenuity and creative spirit that fosters off-beat shops, innovative restaurants and funky new brands, but standing up and sustaining those business isn&#x27;t easy these days.Why it matters: Economic dynamics — some unique to Portland, others part of wider national trends — and a bruised reputation challenge the Rose City&#x27;s status as a place where entrepreneurs can thrive.

How Portland's business challenges ripple across Oregon

The city's economic growth depends on restoring livability.

This story is part of a four-part Axios Portland series examining Oregon&#x27;s business competitiveness.Portland&#x27;s business <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reputation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/25/portland-satisfication-rate-survey-housing" data-vars-content-id="fa9433eb-f424-4e2a-afcc-3f37e26b1a20" data-vars-headline="How Portland&#x27;s business challenges ripple across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/25/portland-satisfication-rate-survey-housing" target="_self">reputation</a> is at a crossroads. While many residents see the city as livable and vibrant as ever, entrepreneurs and companies often report growing concerns about safety, cost and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competitiveness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-portland-736967d9-942d-4151-94db-ce21ab0471bb.html" data-vars-content-id="fa9433eb-f424-4e2a-afcc-3f37e26b1a20" data-vars-headline="How Portland&#x27;s business challenges ripple across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-portland-736967d9-942d-4151-94db-ce21ab0471bb.html" target="_self">competitiveness</a>.Why it matters: The Portland metro area generates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than half" data-vars-click-url="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PorlandRegions-Impact-StateFiscal-Health-FINAL.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fa9433eb-f424-4e2a-afcc-3f37e26b1a20" data-vars-headline="How Portland&#x27;s business challenges ripple across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PorlandRegions-Impact-StateFiscal-Health-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">more than half</a> of Oregon&#x27;s economic output. So when business confidence shifts here, the effects are felt statewide — from job growth to tax revenue that funds education, transportation and health care.

Oregon isn't just losing businesses, it's losing their growth

Experts warn the state is losing billions in private investment and future jobs by not addressing competitiveness.

This story is part of a four-part Axios Portland series examining Oregon&#x27;s business competitiveness.Just a few decades ago, Oregon&#x27;s quality of life, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/08/oregon-population-growth-sherman-crook-deschutes-county" data-vars-content-id="fea2bb8d-ae1b-47bc-9c1f-90d1aac90825" data-vars-headline="Oregon isn&#x27;t just losing businesses, it&#x27;s losing their growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/08/oregon-population-growth-sherman-crook-deschutes-county" target="_self">booming population</a> and historically strong trade sector made it an attractive place to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="start a business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/24/portland-downtown-recovery-small-business-survey" data-vars-content-id="fea2bb8d-ae1b-47bc-9c1f-90d1aac90825" data-vars-headline="Oregon isn&#x27;t just losing businesses, it&#x27;s losing their growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/24/portland-downtown-recovery-small-business-survey" target="_self">start a business</a>. We saw the likes of Dutch Bros., Tektronix and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Columbia Sportswear" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/11/portland-layoffs-jobs-openings-labor-market" data-vars-content-id="fea2bb8d-ae1b-47bc-9c1f-90d1aac90825" data-vars-headline="Oregon isn&#x27;t just losing businesses, it&#x27;s losing their growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/11/portland-layoffs-jobs-openings-labor-market" target="_self">Columbia Sportswear</a> take root here and skyrocket into nationally recognized brands.<ul><li>But today, some of those same businesses are packing up for greener, more business-friendly pastures, and analysts warn Oregon isn&#x27;t doing enough to keep their expansion here.</li></ul>

💼 Chart du jour: Small or supersized

Oregon's economy leans small and supersized

A bar chart that shows Oregon private-sector workers by employer size in the first quarter of 2026. Firms with fewer than 50 workers employ 38.7%, the largest share. Employers with 500 or more account for 28.8%. Mid-size firms range from 9.1% for 250 to 499 to 13.1% for 100 to 249.

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