The city of Portland has launched a new online resource for Portland businesses, Business Portland (Portland4Biz.com), a web site that will bring together resources to help Portland businesses grow and prosper.

“This is our electronic welcome mat for businesses that are already here and need help or want to expand, and for businesses thinking of locating here,” said Mayor Sam Adams. “As I said in my State of the City Address, the City wants to do everything it can to ensure that entrepreneurs and business owners succeed here in Portland. This web site is one more way we’re seeking to add value for the business community.”

Developed by the City of Portland and the Portland Development Commission, Business Portland will ultimately be the go-to resource for local companies to find information related to business assistance – financing, incentives for business development, sustainability, mentoring and business counseling services, government resources and links to business associations and local chambers of commerce.  The site will connect users to programs and services provided by the city as well as by nonprofit organizations, including the area’s most requested business links. Profiles of local businesses will be an ongoing feature.

The newly launched site is in beta version, and the City and PDC encourage feedback from potential users to inform the further development of the site. Visitors to Business Portland are invited to take an online survey to rank the value of various topics, resources and features that could be included in future iterations of the site.

Social media technologies, including Facebook, Linked In and Twitter, are integrated into the site, offering multiple avenues for engagement with the business community. City and PDC staff are working with Portland’s business resource providers to oversee final web site development and ongoing content programming.

A companion to the Business Portland site is the city’s new Business Hotline, 503-865-4BIZ (4249), which connects to city and PDC staff to help businesses navigate myriad city resources.