OREGON

“I believe that to meet the challenges we face today it is essential to engage businesses, government, non-profit organizations and citizens in collective action. Oregon Solutions creates the place to come together and provides the means to reach community agreements that connect Oregonians in solving these challenges, in communities across the state.”
– Theodore R. Kulongoski
Governor, State of Oregon
Chair, Oregon Solutions Network

A region that attracts highly skilled technology workers located within a state that rewards companies that adopt environmental initiatives, were two of the primary reasons Germany-based SolarWorld Group selected Hillsboro, Ore., as the location for its newest manufacturing plant.

Robert Ward, managing director of Capybara Ventures, said the tax has driven several venture capital firms to move from the county to Beaverton or other nearby cities. "It’s a huge deal," said Ward, whose fund is rare in being based in Portland. Ward said he’s spoken with at least one firm that is considering moving back to Portland with the tax change, though he declined to say which one.

Planners and politicians are calling for a revival of Oregon’s "Big Look" — a broad effort to refresh the state’s urban growth and land use planning policies.

Lokey, who was born and raised in Portland but never attended UO, has given a total of $132 million to the university in the past four years. He said in an interview that giving to UO is his way of giving back to his home state.

“This tax credit is one of a kind,” Oregon State Treasurer Randall Edwards said. “No other state has a program where donors can receive such a generous tax credit in return for helping move research from lab to market,”