Former Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations Changes Name

After 25 years, the former Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations, based in Northeast Portland, has changed its name to Venture Portland. The organization is hoping to make stronger the city’s diverse neighborhood business communities.

The name change reflects a push to encourage people to “venture out” into the city’s 50 neighborhood business districts, according to the group’s leaders. The name also aims to remind residents that neighborhood business districts provide more than 200,000 jobs and contribute to the city’s economy.

Another part of the new branding effort to is to tell the story of local business districts. Every neighborhood business district reflects its community, he said, whether it be Belmont, Goose Hollow, St. Johns, or emerging districts such as University Park, Burnside East, or North Williams.

The private nonprofit began in 1986, when business district leaders came together to work collectively. Today, representatives from 34 business districts across the city, from the Hawthorne Business district in Southeast to the Beaumont Business District in Northeast, participate.

The group, which is overseen by volunteer representatives from those neighborhood business district boards, makes its money through donations and fees from its members. The group’s goals are to strengthen neighborhood business districts, support emerging ones, sponsor training and connect districts with government grants, as well as private money.

Last year, the group distributed $80,000 in city grant money to 39 business districts which have helped pay for projects such as the recent Alberta Street Fair and the upcoming 42nd Avenue Fair. The nonprofit also helped leverage $150,000 in private money to business district associations.

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By: Larry Bingham

Source: The Oregonian, Venture Portland, formerly Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations, changes name but continues mission to support city’s 50 business districts