Oregon Business Council

The Oregon Business Plan is a state economic development forum that has been bringing together leaders from business, government, and nonprofit sectors since 2002 to consider policies and initiatives aimed at improving Oregon's economy.

The organization advocates for goals including growing wages, increasing workforce participation, growing household wealth, and improving economic mobility across Oregon through a strategic framework focused on thriving industries, talented people, an attractive and affordable place, a productive business climate, and innovation.

The group hosts an annual Leadership Summit and seeks sponsorship support to carry out its work, with the 2026 summit scheduled for December 7 at the Oregon Convention Center.

The Business Plan has helped Oregon navigate two recessions and shape policy for a range of issues, including manufacturing strategy, workforce education, broadband access, housing supply, fiscal stability, transportation infrastructure, forest management, K-12 education, health care cost control, and rural water storage for agriculture.

The organization operates out of 1100 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 1608, Portland, Oregon 97204-1017, and can be reached by phone at 5032200691.

The Business Plan has four long-range goals: to grow wages by increasing productivity and skills, increase the share of people working to bring displaced workers back into the economic mainstream, grow household wealth for lower and middle income levels, and increase economic mobility for new generations regardless of race or place.

The main work involves researching and proposing public sector policies and investments to improve Oregon's conditions for economic success and opportunity, addressing acute or gathering public challenges.

Work on the Business Plan goes on year round, but its signature event is the annual Leadership Summit, usually held in early December, which typically draws more than 1,200 business, elected, civic, and nonprofit leaders.

The website oregonbusinessplan.org provides valuable resources and information about the Oregon business community, and the organization is described as a great partner for businesses in Oregon.

The Business Plan's strategic vision for the 2020s is called 'Shared Prosperity,' and its 2026 Leadership Summit theme is 'Reckoning & Renewal,' demanding both the courage to look without flinching and the will to build what comes next.

The organization has been active since 2002, making it a long-standing collaborative effort between Oregon's business community, elected leaders, and other key stakeholders.

The Business Plan pursues its goals by presenting and vetting ideas at the Leadership Summit, allowing participants to identify and vet issues on the Business Plan agenda.

The Business Plan aims to build an environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, particularly finding ways to bring displaced workers back into the economic mainstream.

The organization's commitment to supporting businesses in Oregon is commendable, and its website is described as informative and user-friendly by reviewers.