The Chamber testified in support of a resolution, authored by Councilor Dan Ryan, to direct the City Administrator to create a Storefront Support Program. This resolution, which is the first formal action of support for storefront businesses specifically in recent history, passed unanimously.
Huge thanks to Commissioner Ryan for his continued steady leadership and the entire council for this unanimous show of support for local storefronts.
What this resolution does
This resolution directs Portland’s City Administrator to develop a comprehensive Storefront Support Program by January 31, 2026, with funding to be incorporated into the 2026-27 budget. The program aims to address the declining health of Portland’s street-facing businesses through coordinated city support and data-driven interventions.
Key Components
The City Administrator must create a plan that includes:
- Clear definitions of what qualifies as a “storefront business” and scope across all Portland districts.
- Create data tracking systems to monitor vacant storefronts and understand why businesses close or leave Portland.
- Coordinated crime response to address vandalism, theft, and chronic nuisance issues affecting businesses.
- Improved city services with clear accountability, better communication, and streamlined processes across multiple bureaus.
- Cross-agency collaboration involving Police, Prosper Portland, Transportation, Permitting, and other relevant departments.
- Funding options and ongoing progress monitoring with stakeholder input.
Why This Matters to Small Businesses
Financial struggles are real for local businesses and the City of Portland has lost significant business license revenue—$20.21 million in FY 2023-24 and another $10.15 million in FY 2024-25—indicating widespread business closures and relocations since 2020.
Safety and Security Costs: Local businesses face persistent crime and vandalism that drains resources and creates an environment where more closures become inevitable without intervention.
Currently No Safety Net: The city currently lacks systems to track vacant storefronts, coordinate responses to business problems, or provide targeted support—meaning businesses are struggling without organized municipal assistance.
Neighborhood Anchors at Risk: Storefront businesses aren’t just economic entities—they define Portland’s neighborhoods and create vibrant, safe public spaces. Their decline affects the entire city’s identity and livability.