Oregon Business

"I was really passionate about entrepreneurship and building things," Alford-Jones, 25, said. "For me, it almost seemed like there was no other alternative."

It’s nearly unheard of for a first-time inventor to land in a major retailer’s health and beauty care aisle, a highly competitive category dominated by multinational corporations. And yet for Peterson, 71, the work has just begun.

Great for retrofitting historic structures

"Make no mistake, if the U.S. and nationwide economy goes into recession, it will drag Oregon down with it."

Oregon’s state universities are embarking on what’s believed to be the state’s largest solar energy project, an effort that will eventually bring solar arrays to all seven campuses in the Oregon University System.

Hats by Montana Peaks have even made it to the big screen. Sissy Spacek wore one in "Streets of Laredo" and so did Paul Gross in the Canadian Western "Gunless."

Oregon companies have raised nearly $75 million in venture capital so far in 2011.

"I’d expected to see growth, even fairly significant growth," said Christian Miller, who conducted the study. "But I was surprised at how strong that growth really was. Given the economy we’ve been through, it’s pretty remarkable."

Intel now employs more Oregonians than any other business.

"With this change, it’s more important than ever for people who care about education to get involved in the election of the next governor."