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How Vancouver is winning over small businesses

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

News

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.

Costs, crime threaten affordable housing units

A nonprofit says financial pressures could force property sales.

A Portland-area low-income <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/18/portland-rent-relief-could-fade-as-building-slows" data-vars-content-id="2f67dae4-fbdd-40fd-b9a8-0d7fbc916bfb" data-vars-headline="Costs, crime threaten affordable housing units" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/18/portland-rent-relief-could-fade-as-building-slows" target="_self">housing</a> provider says crime and rising security costs could force it to sell some of its more than 1,000 housing units.Why it matters: The potential loss of affordable units could further strain access amid an ongoing housing crisis.

How to watch the World Cup in Portland

Big-screen matches, soccer bars and free watch parties await fans.

Portland won&#x27;t be hosting any <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/how-to-watch-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="0b1a7d43-acc8-4f24-bcba-977d96735475" data-vars-headline="How to watch the World Cup in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/how-to-watch-world-cup" target="_self">World Cup</a> matches, but there are still plenty of ways for Soccer City residents to get in on the action.The big picture: For one glorious month, fans here and around the world stop to watch the same thing.

How AI helps spot wildfires before 911 calls

Earlier alerts can help stop small fires from becoming disasters.

As wildfires <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="become faster moving and more destructive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/wildfires-fire-weather-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b0c42c0b-d105-4237-8445-9017dabdc270" data-vars-headline="How AI helps spot wildfires before 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/wildfires-fire-weather-climate-change" target="_self">become faster moving and more destructive</a> with climate change, agencies across the West are adopting AI-powered cameras, satellite systems and other weather predictive tools to help spot fires and deploy crews sooner.Why it matters: The technology is designed to buy firefighters more time — often the most valuable resource during a wildfire. Earlier warnings not only save lives, but help prevent fires from growing larger and causing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="millions of dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/06/oregon-wildfires-cost-funding-record" data-vars-content-id="b0c42c0b-d105-4237-8445-9017dabdc270" data-vars-headline="How AI helps spot wildfires before 911 calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/06/oregon-wildfires-cost-funding-record" target="_self">millions of dollars</a> in damage.

Federal cuts sink Pacific Northwest ocean-monitoring buoys

Researchers warn the loss could weaken climate and ocean data collection.

A federally funded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ocean-monitoring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/25/climate-change-tipping-point-ocean-current-collapse" data-vars-content-id="4dd3b7c7-bf03-4834-97b9-c310da7426c9" data-vars-headline="Federal cuts sink Pacific Northwest ocean-monitoring buoys" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/25/climate-change-tipping-point-ocean-current-collapse" target="_self">ocean-monitoring</a> network off Oregon and Washington is beginning to be dismantled after National Science Foundation budget cuts.Why it matters: The removal of research buoys is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest reduction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/06/01/judge-blocks-ncar-lab-transfer" data-vars-content-id="4dd3b7c7-bf03-4834-97b9-c310da7426c9" data-vars-headline="Federal cuts sink Pacific Northwest ocean-monitoring buoys" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/06/01/judge-blocks-ncar-lab-transfer" target="_self">latest reduction</a> in climate and ocean research under the Trump administration.

Dry winter puts Oregon on edge for wildfires

Officials warn dry vegetation could fuel fast-moving fires this summer.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warm, dry winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/13/oregon-snow-drought-raises-irrigation-fears" data-vars-content-id="d0d4a97c-9186-4443-8ad0-3d24540597aa" data-vars-headline="Dry winter puts Oregon on edge for wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/13/oregon-snow-drought-raises-irrigation-fears" target="_self">warm, dry winter</a> has Oregon officials warning of an intense wildfire season fueled by low snowpack and human-caused fire risks.The big picture: Very dry vegetation in all its forms could allow fires to spread rapidly across Oregon this summer.

Low snowpack and drought threaten Oregon native fish

The potential for widespread die-off events and disease is high.

Historically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="low snowpack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/oregon-snowpack-near-record-lows-warm-winter" data-vars-content-id="918c4efa-fb3e-43d3-8ab3-d180aa181bf5" data-vars-headline="Low snowpack and drought threaten Oregon native fish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/oregon-snowpack-near-record-lows-warm-winter" target="_self">low snowpack</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="widespread drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2026/05/a-third-of-oregon-counties-now-have-drought-emergencies-state-says.html" data-vars-content-id="918c4efa-fb3e-43d3-8ab3-d180aa181bf5" data-vars-headline="Low snowpack and drought threaten Oregon native fish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2026/05/a-third-of-oregon-counties-now-have-drought-emergencies-state-says.html" target="_blank">widespread drought</a> are causing rivers to run lower and warmer earlier than usual this year, raising chances of die-offs and disease outbreaks among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="native fish species" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/09/columbia-river-basin-salmon-restoration" data-vars-content-id="918c4efa-fb3e-43d3-8ab3-d180aa181bf5" data-vars-headline="Low snowpack and drought threaten Oregon native fish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/09/columbia-river-basin-salmon-restoration" target="_self">native fish species</a> as we head into summer.Why it matters: Salmon, trout and steelhead remain critical to river ecosystems, and they are deeply tied to Oregon&#x27;s cultural identity, recreation economy and tribal communities.

Oregon snow drought raises irrigation fears

Farmers are preparing for severe water shortages this summer.

Oregon&#x27;s near-record low <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="snowpack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/oregon-snowpack-near-record-lows-warm-winter" data-vars-content-id="adffbda1-5a73-4677-8f2a-2f2ba97dab0d" data-vars-headline="Oregon snow drought raises irrigation fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/oregon-snowpack-near-record-lows-warm-winter" target="_self">snowpack</a> is raising fears of severe irrigation shortages ahead of farms&#x27; summer growing season.Why it matters: Agriculture makes up roughly 13% of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oregon&#x27;s gross product" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonfb.org/oregon-agriculture" data-vars-content-id="adffbda1-5a73-4677-8f2a-2f2ba97dab0d" data-vars-headline="Oregon snow drought raises irrigation fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonfb.org/oregon-agriculture" target="_blank">Oregon&#x27;s gross product</a> — with around $5 billion in annual production — so water shortages will have ripple effects across the state&#x27;s economy.

Columbia Slough cleanup brings neglected waterway back to life

A major restoration project is turning a once-polluted waterway into a thriving habitat.

Environment

Behind a chain-link fence at the end of a road in Northeast Portland, a stretch of one of the city&#x27;s most neglected and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polluted waterways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/26/harbor-cleanup-soil-fill-toxic-lagoon-plan" data-vars-content-id="d6442b72-5feb-45e5-b4b3-a4a5a84b0794" data-vars-headline="Columbia Slough cleanup brings neglected waterway back to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/26/harbor-cleanup-soil-fill-toxic-lagoon-plan" target="_self">polluted waterways</a> is getting new life.Why it matters: The Columbia Slough, which runs parallel to the Columbia for about 19 miles, has been turned into a natural oasis in a heavily industrialized pocket of Portland.

Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit

Opponents say penalties could raise energy costs as climate rules face another lawsuit.

Oregon&#x27;s signature <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/21/oregon-climate-emissions-regulations" data-vars-content-id="36c36485-4f59-4fee-90ad-2689d1276098" data-vars-headline="Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/21/oregon-climate-emissions-regulations" target="_self">climate program</a> faces a new lawsuit challenging the state&#x27;s authority to impose financial penalties on carbon emitters.Why it matters: The case again puts the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate Protection Program&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx" data-vars-content-id="36c36485-4f59-4fee-90ad-2689d1276098" data-vars-headline="Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Climate Protection Program&#x27;s</a> legal footing at risk just a year after regulators reinstated it.

Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon

The proposed project would reuse contaminated soil to cut costs and reduce toxic algae.

The Willamette River faces two big problems in Portland: a long-polluted site and a lagoon that spawns <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="toxic algae blooms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/ross-island-toxic-algae-bloom" data-vars-content-id="0357c0a4-775b-4839-90e2-ddf93bab5cfc" data-vars-headline="Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/ross-island-toxic-algae-bloom" target="_self">toxic algae blooms</a>. One new proposal aims to fix them both.Why it matters: The plan could cut cleanup costs and meet state requirements to reclaim the lagoon.

Tension brews as Oregon agencies push toward climate goals

A draft climate plan is exposing disagreements between state agencies over emissions cuts.

Oregon is far behind its goals of cutting carbon emissions to slow <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/climate-change-allergy-season-30-days-longer" data-vars-content-id="b56e5b08-936a-4a25-8885-e8d2be477d97" data-vars-headline="Tension brews as Oregon agencies push toward climate goals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/climate-change-allergy-season-30-days-longer" target="_self">climate change</a>, and the state&#x27;s departments can&#x27;t seem to agree on how to narrow the gap.Why it matters: Oregon is pushing to cut carbon emissions by 45% by 2035, and a draft plan to help do so is exposing tensions between state agencies over policy priorities.

Oregon's snowpack falls near record lows

Oregon's snowpack is about 30% of normal after one of its warmest winters on record.

Oregon&#x27;s coldest months are behind us, but you&#x27;d be forgiven if you <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="never noticed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" target="_self">never noticed</a> them in the first place.Why it matters: A warm winter and lack of snow have left Oregon with the lowest snowpack in the Pacific Northwest and its second-lowest level on record.<ul><li>That could spell trouble across the state for farmers, fish and firefighters as the potential for summer water shortages looms.</li></ul>Catch up quick: The winter began with promise — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weak La Niña" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" target="_self">weak La Niña</a> was expected to bring colder and wetter than average conditions.<ul><li>The wetness was there in November and December as strong atmospheric rivers washed over the Pacific Northwest, but they came in riding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record warmth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202512" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202512" target="_blank">record warmth</a> and did little to build a base of snow at higher elevations.</li><li>January wasn&#x27;t much better, with Portland receiving a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="little more than half" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/pqr/cliplot" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/pqr/cliplot" target="_blank">little more than half</a> its average rainfall.</li><li>Though February brought more precipitation, it also came with statewide temperatures nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5°F above average" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202602" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202602" target="_blank">5°F above average</a>.</li></ul>Overall, the four-month period from November through February tied 1934 for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warmest in Oregon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202602" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202602" target="_blank">warmest in Oregon</a> on record.Stunning stat: Oregon&#x27;s snowpack is about 30% of normal, nearly tied with 2015 for the worst year on record.<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;re kind of the epicenter of the snow drought,&quot; Oregon State climatologist Larry O&#x27;Neill told Axios, noting that, as of Monday, only Arizona and New Mexico had lower percentages of their median snowpack. </li><li>We aren&#x27;t alone, though, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="many states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" target="_self">many states</a> across the West seeing much warmer and drier conditions than usual.</li></ul>Threat level: Oregon&#x27;s snowpack acts as a reservoir that slowly releases water in the warmer months.<ul><li>Fish rely on it for adequate stream levels. Farmers rely on it for irrigation. We all rely on it to spin the turbines in our hydroelectric dams.</li><li>&quot;The snowpack is extremely important for our water supply in the spring and summer,&quot; O&#x27;Neill said. &quot;Without it, we usually end up with severe drought.&quot;</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Forecasters are predicting above-average temps — mid-60s in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=45.51601791381836&amp;lon=-122.68142700195312" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=45.51601791381836&amp;lon=-122.68142700195312" target="_blank">Portland</a>, mid-50s up on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mount Hood" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.6688576341901&amp;lat=45.34194381514135#.WDRQ3dg76f0" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.6688576341901&amp;lat=45.34194381514135#.WDRQ3dg76f0" target="_blank">Mount Hood</a> — for the next several days.The bottom line: It&#x27;s difficult to directly link one winter season to climate change, but experts have long predicted that a warmer climate, caused primarily by humans burning fossil fuels, would result in winters like this one.<ul><li>&quot;It represents our future,&quot; according to O&#x27;Neill. &quot;Low snowpack that melts early or doesn&#x27;t come at all.&quot;</li></ul>

Advocates raise concerns over proposed Columbia River power line

Opponents warn the buried line could harm fish, water quality and cultural sites.

Environmental advocates and tribes are raising concerns over a proposal to bury an electric transmission line under the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Columbia River" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/23/gorge-energy-storage-project-tribal-opposition" data-vars-content-id="40ce938e-f44c-4ddb-b461-c435ea146e5a" data-vars-headline="Advocates raise concerns over proposed Columbia River power line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/23/gorge-energy-storage-project-tribal-opposition" target="_self">Columbia River</a> from the east end of the Gorge to Portland.Why it matters: The project would be the first transmission line buried beneath the Columbia River and could expand the region&#x27;s ability to move renewable power west if approved.