Good morning. Five Things for Monday starts with beer. Because Oregon celebrates beer, and other states celebrate Oregon beer.
On Friday we learned that Oregon breweries took 22 awards at the World Beer Cup (“the Olympics of beer”). Colorado, with 1.6 million more people than Oregon, had 25, following by 50 for California, which has only 35 million more people. Not a bad haul for the Beaver State.
Aside from making beer, Oregon brewers frequently make news in the Business Journal, too. Recent beer stories in the PBJ included the return of the Oregon Brewers Festival, new life for a closed brewery and a North Portland pub, and even some alcohol-free beer as one of the state’s largest brewers moves into a growing market.
Oregon is also notable for its legal cannabis industry, though business has been tough lately for companies in that area.
For more on that, read on.
1) Portland mayor proposes fee freeze
Portland businesses have not been happy about the taxes and fees they pay in the metro area. Now Mayor Ted Wheeler seems to be listening to them with his recent call for a freeze on new increases. Included in the moratorium would be system development charges, a cost at times blamed for holding back new housing development.
2) Another side of the capital gains tax
A proposed Multnomah County capital gains tax would be another new addition to the local tax burden. Business groups and others have opposed the measure, but supporters in this opinion piece argue that it would benefit the city by keeping people housed.
3) Cannabis prices hit new low.
More bad news for Oregon cannabis businesses. According to new data from Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, the median price for a gram of marijuana has hit a new low in the state.
“It’s almost impossible to make money,” says the president of the Oregon Cannabis Association.
4) Collaboration for Portland creatives of color
Portland agency Claima’s mission is to spotlight the work of fellow creatives of color in the region. A collaboration series by the group and some prominent brands, including Clarks and Saucony, is designed to bring more attention to local talents.
5) OMSI goes to (pre) school
PBJ managing editor Andy Giegerich provides this final thing.
Multnomah County’s Preschool for All program is taking applications through May 31. For its part, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry wants to help families with questions get a little guidance.
The museum is hosting a May 22 free event that both offers information on, and ways to sign up for, pre-school programs. At the same time, parents can bring kids to hang out at the facility during the event, which takes place between 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Dinner and complimentary parking are provided at the program, backed by such groups as United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.
One more thing
Saturday was the birthday of a genius. Stevie Wonder, born in Saginaw, Michigan in 1950, turned 73. And because of the May 13 date, his hit “Superstition” is an appropriate choice.
For curiosity’s sake, and because it’s a fantastic performance, here is a live version of the song on “Sesame Street” of all places. Strange to think the kids in the clip are all past 50 now. Was all children’s entertainment this great in 1973?
Source: Biz Journal
