Oregon’s minimum wage changes have historically been tied to the Consumer Price Index. However, in 2016, the State of Oregon implemented an innovative tiered minimum wage policy that allows the minimum wage to vary by geographic region. Under this policy, the highest minimum wage tier is set for the Portland Metropolitan Area, followed by a lower tier for other urban counties and the lowest for rural counties (Figure 1). The regulatory drive behind this tiered policy was a recognition of the regional economic differences in wages, unemployment, and cost of living within the state. .... Read More

Understanding the churn of businesses – the rate at which new establishments open (entries) and existing ones close (exits) – is crucial for gauging economic dynamism. A key indicator is the Entry/Exit Ratio, defined as the number of new establishments divided by the number of closures in a given period. An Entry/Exit Ratio above 1.0 signifies net growth in the number of businesses (more openings than closures), while a ratio below 1.0 indicates net decline. This blog post examines Oregon’s business dynamics through three lenses – time, sector, and geography – using recent data from the 2022 National Establishments Time Series Database.

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The cannabis industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade, reshaping local economies and creating new business hubs. Recent data from the 2022 National Establishment Time Series Database shows just how concentrated this growth has become, particularly on the West Coast. Over half (51%) of all cannabis retail stores and farms in the U.S. are located in the Pacific region—Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska. California stands out not only as the country’s largest cannabis market but also as a trendsetter for industry regulation, taxation, and product innovation. Washington and Oregon, meanwhile, remain among the most mature cannabis economies, with dense networks of dispensaries and farms.

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