Our newest EPCC Member Waterfront Organizations of Oregon www.WaterfrontOregon.com and President Kelly Butler Holtz brings urgent important information for us to support our neighbor businesses who abut waterfront.  Please support them in fighting back onerous permitting rules at a time where the city says they are trying to make permitting easier:

Please join us this Tuesday for the public hearing on the Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL) Environmental Overlay Project. This proposal (Proposed Draft) would apply new environmental overlay zones to large areas of river-adjacent industrial and waterfront property. The outcome matters to everyone who works on, lives on, or depends on the river.

Submit testimony

The Proposed Draft will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during an upcoming hearing on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026, at 4 pm. There are two ways to submit public testimony to the Planning Commission:

1. Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by Tuesday, Jan 13 at 4 pm.
2. Give oral testimony at the hearing. Testimony is limited to 2- minutes. Pre-register to provide oral testimony by Monday, Jan 12 at 5 pm.

Who shows up—and what we say—will make a difference. Spoken testimony is limited to 2-minutes. Written comments and a strong turnout are critical.

This is a hybrid meeting. The in-person meeting will be held at 1900 SW 4th, Suite 2500. The public may watch live and view the recording after the meeting.

Why this matters

River-dependent businesses must be located on the river to function. They cannot move inland without losing the very access that makes their work possible. The proposed overlays risk adding new layers of regulation that could restrict routine operations, maintenance, and future investment along the working waterfront—without clear environmental benefit. These businesses collectively support thousands of family-wage jobs in the region and are a cornerstone of Portland’s industrial economy.

Suggested Talking Points (pick one or two):

• River-dependent and waterfront businesses cannot relocate inland; zoning must reflect this fundamental reality.
• The working waterfront supports thousands of family-wage jobs tied directly to river access, navigation, and water-based commerce.
• Additional overlays could delay or increase the already high cost of essential maintenance (e.g., dredging, emergency repairs).
• The proposal risks duplicating existing regulations without demonstrating added environmental protection.
• Portland’s working waterfront supports jobs, housing, navigation, and emergency response, and should be protected as a functioning system—not regulated out of viability.
• Environmental goals should be met without undermining responsible stewardship efforts already in place.

Remember, you must pre-register to provide oral testimony. If you can’t attend the hearing, please consider submitting written testimony.  Every voice helps. Click the link below for more information about the project and how to testify.

Thank you for standing up for Oregon’s working waterfront and WOOO.

Narwhal Law and Business Strategy is announcing 3 upcoming events. Our Learning with A Porpoise seminar series is designed to inspire, educate, and engage individuals passionate about nonprofit work, local business, leadership, and community impact.

1/14: Build the Ship Right: A 2026 Blueprint for New and Growing Businesses

1/28: Get Your Sh!t Together: Clarity, Accountability, and Growth in Business

2/18: Stay on the Good Side of the DOJ: What Nonprofits Need to Know

More coming soon! Read descriptions and register on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/narwhal-law-and-business-strategy-86998676433

About Narwhal:  We provide accessible, relationship-driven legal and strategic guidance to nonprofits, businesses, and community initiatives. https://www.narwhallawandbusinessstrategy.com/

Many of our Vets struggle, many of them with PTSD. Vetsrest has found a way to help them help others with therapeutic farm gardening. Please support Vetsrest in supporting our Vets https://vetrest.org/our-work/

Consider joining me at their Annual Gathering December 3 https://vetrest.org/pathways-to-purpose/

And consider sponsoring this important mission https://vetrest.org/sponsor/

Thank you, bless you and Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

If you livein Portland or own a business here, please act now.  Your voice is needed.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORPORTLAND_ENT/bulletins/3faaca5

Narwhal Law and Business Strategy is announcing 4 upcoming events. Our Learning with A Porpoise seminar series is designed to inspire, educate, and engage individuals passionate about nonprofit work, local business, leadership, and community impact.

7/30 - Your Small Team Deserves Benefits (Even if it's Just You)

8/6 - Who the Hell is Robert and What Are His Rules? (Robert’s Rules of Order for Nonprofit Board Meetings)

8/13 - Outsmarting AI Threats and Protecting Your Digital Self

8/20 - Leading Boldly Through Uncertainty: Decision Making Under Pressure

Register via Eventbrite to join us via Zoom: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/narwhal-law-and-business-strategy-86998676433


About Narwhal:  We provide accessible, relationship-driven legal and strategic guidance to nonprofits, businesses, and community initiatives. https://www.narwhallawandbusinessstrategy.com/

Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. There are spots still available for youth from age 14 to 21 to attend for FREE the OAME 2025 Youth Entrepreneurship Conference “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders” this Thursday, July 31, 2025 7:30am – 4pm at the University of Oregon Portland Library and Learning Center

2800 NE Liberty St Portland, OR 97211

OAME’s Youth Entrepreneurship Conference provides training to youth between 14 and 21 years old. The Conference offers:

Intensive training – Learn the ins and outs of business from experienced coaches and mentors.

Business practices and discussion

Hands-on workshops – Master the skills you need to launch and manage your dream venture.

Basics of personal and business financing

Basics of marketing and sales

Fun and engaging activities – Games, contests, and prizes to keep things exciting!

Register here https://oame.org/youth-registration/

Sponsor here https://oame.org/partnership-registration/

Our future is bright when our youth are prepared to lead. Please forward this to anyone involved with youth in Oregon and SW Washington.

Portland City Council, please reconsider your police budget and law and order for all who work, live and visit here.

The Oregonian Editorial Board, your citizens and your business community sincerely ask your help on this timely, urgent and important reconsideration.

https://www-oregonlive-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025/06/editorial-a-19-million-budget-shift-that-portland-cant-afford.html?outputType=amp

I’m your Director from East Portland Chamber of Commerce Ron Schmidt 503-539-6817 Ron@ThePlanningGroup.ORG You can check all calendar events at EastPortlandChamberofCommerce.com. Let’s build together! 

INCREDIBLE!  You can get a FREE $150 OAME Luncheon Gala Ticket just by volunteering a little time in helping OAME run the Trade Show and Luncheon.

Other Benefits you will receive:

Meet hundreds if not thousands of others from a position of service and reason for meeting

Be appreciated by a powerful organization and its leadership.

Have the inside knowledge of a great trade show and what’s going on.

Receive a $150 ticket to attend the gala lunch and awards presentation of all the movers and shakers.  The keynote speaker happens to be the Oregon Secretary of State, the honorable Tobias Read!

First Come, First Serve, reach out to me to save a spot to serve or for more info!  Ron@ThePlanningGroup.Org

Save The Date

As a proud supporter of local small businesses, Chamber of Commerce members have access to special partner discounts every time they shop in Staples® stores, perfect for refreshing your marketing materials and restocking your workspace.

Why give just a Valentine's Card when you can give each other the ultimate love letter? (you know you two have been talking about getting your wills done, right?)

This Friday at 3PM Pacific we will be holding a Will Webinar you and your beloved can attend. Reach out to your HR department, your voluntary benefits broker or me for the Webinar Registration Link and the LegalShield Will Questionnaire that will help members putting your free custom will together.

Happy Valentine's! Your beloved will be amazed and moved that you thought to get this done.

#LastLoveLetter #ValentinesThatCounts theplanninggroup.org/will