Local businesses provide employment for area residents and products and services close to home. Mid-county Memo Business Memos celebrate news, advancements, promotions, retirements, expansions and other noteworthy events at these cornerstones of our community. To share news of your business with our readers, Business Memo submissions for the April issue are due by Wednesday, March 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. You may also mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, dial 503-287-8904. The Mid-county Memo fax number is 503-249-7672.
Gateway gets livability grants from PDC
The Portland Development Commission has announced its intent to award more than $840,000 in Community Livability Grants for fiscal year 2016–17 to projects in the Lents Town Center, Gateway Regional Center and Central Eastside urban renewal areas (URAs) as well as in Old Town/Chinatown with funding from both the River District and Downtown Waterfront URAs. The Community Livability Grant project list includes proposals that address health and wellness for diverse populations, honor neighborhood cultural and historical assets, promote youth education and advance workforce development.
Five projects in Gateway include a clinic and food pantry, street furnishings, a green wall, an information kiosk and charging stations for a total of $200,000 in grant money.
Here are the specifics:
Portland Adventist Community Services low-income health clinic and food pantry expansion: A center offering comprehensive health center for low-income people in Gateway and east Multnomah County providing primary medical, dental and ophthalmology care. $100,000
Hazelwood Neighborhood Association street furnishings: Install benches and public trash cans on Northeast Halsey and Weidler streets and on 102nd Avenue. $36,000
Gateway One EcoDistrict Gateway green wall: A 16-foot-long green wall at the Outer Rim Bike Shop on Northeast Halsey Street. $26,000
Parkrose Heights Associations of Neighbors east island kiosk: Design and install an iconic information kiosk to host a solar array at the east island at the Northeast Halsey/Weidler street divide. $24,000
Gateway Area Business Association electric vehicle charging stations: Install two electric vehicle charging stations in the Halsey/Weidler corridor. $14,000
To view the complete list of fund recipients, visit pdc.us/clg.
MHCC plans bond measure for May ballot
The Mt. Hood Community College Board of Education voted 5-1 in favor of placing a general obligation bond for $75 million on the May 2017 ballot.
The board cast the vote during its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday, Feb. 8, when it heard and discussed information about the projects that the bond would fund. Included in the list of proposed projects were:
• Building a new workforce and applied technology center on the Gresham campus, which would house laboratories and classrooms and expand the college’s efforts in providing applied technology careers
• Upgrading and improving the college’s safety and security infrastructure, including the use of new technologies and seismic upgrades and retrofitting to protect against earthquakes
• Securing $8 million in state matching funds that will otherwise be lost, which would be used for additional support for the workforce and applied technology center
• Freeing up more operating funds by refinancing existing capital obligations
The vote comes almost one year removed from the May 2016 bond campaign, in which the college placed a $125 million general obligation bond on the ballot. Although it was supported in large measure in certain areas of the Mt. Hood Community College district, it was defeated overall. The board believes a smaller bond will have a greater chance of success.
The tax on a home valued at $200,000 would be about $40 per year. If voters approve it, it would be the first time new money would come to the college since a $6 million bond was passed in 1974. An oversight committee, made up in part by community and business leaders, would be formed to oversee the funds to ensure they are spent as promised.
Wig Gallery expands
The Wig Gallery has outgrown its Gateway location and has moved west to the Halsey Plaza Building, suite 101, 8401 N.E. Halsey St. This new spacious home allows for a larger showroom, more inventory, more private fitting rooms and a larger salon area.
The Wig Gallery has a large selection of synthetic and human-hair wigs. Stylists specialize in serving the needs of women who have lost their hair due to a medical condition or treatment. They also carry a wide range of fashion-forward hats and turbans.
Service is by appointment only. Call 503-253-5680 for a consultation. Debbie, Jeanne, Donna and Christy look forward to meeting you.
