Woof – that was a tough read. Portland continues to suffer since the riots of Covid. In fact, some metrics of decline are increasing in 2025, not stabilizing. It has economists and city officials ringing alarm bells; but few local politicians seem to be able to think of anything besides raising more taxes.

The city has enacted new taxes that has made it the second highest tax rate the in the country. The strong anti-business environment as driven companies out of the city to the point that Portland has the highest commercial vacancy rate of ANY major US city for 2 years in a row. Worse than Southern or even Rust Belt cities. People are fleeting Portland in record numbers. It’s getting to the point that it’s seriously impacting tax revenue and property value/desirability is declining at a record rate. All this while towns just nearby are seeing increases.

Links:

• https://portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/2025-state-of-the-economy/
• Video presentation: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/ppMb0MRwjQ/fi-e71355cb-2264-4056-8ad5-e115afe4b7ea/fv-e45fffa3-c6ad-4d83-97cb-d0479d5b9edc/PMC%20STATE%20OF%20ECONOMY%20FEB%2020%202025.mp4