As wealthy exit Oregon, Saks shutters Portland store

Saks Inc. said Tuesday it plans to close its Saks Fifth Avenue stores at Pioneer Place Mall in Portland, Oregon. Saks will close the men's store in April and shut the main store in July. About 100 employees will be affected by the move. The decision is in line with Saks' strategy to focus resources on productive stores, Chief Executive Steve Sadove said in a statement.

In a 140 character announcement, Portland's mayor Sam Adams blames the exit on an ending lease and tough times "all over."

Portland's foreign policy foray blows up business opportunities with Oregon's largest trading partner

Ah, those were the days ...

It seems like just six months ago that Portland's mayor, Sam Adams, was joyfully celebrating 60 years of Communist rule in China. On his blog, the mayor declared, "This is a seminal year for China and for Portland-Chinese relations." Since then, Portland has hosted an exhibition of modern Chinese art and the mayor attended the ribbon cutting at the first retail store in the U.S. for China's version of Nike.

Fast forward to today. With a flip and a flop and a slap in the face, the mayor tried his hand at crafting U.S. foreign policy by issuing a proclamation that March 10 is "Tibet Awareness Day" (pdf).

What the mayor hoped would be feel good--but empty--gesture toward the Free Tibet bumper sticker crowd, turned into an firestorm that threatens to engulf much of Oregon's business community.

In the wake of the announcement, some government agencies have threatened to pull the plug on televised Trailblazers games.

One business owner who regularly travels to China to meet with suppliers and customers has informed this blog that he may cancel his upcoming trip because his business partners do not want to speak with him. He is now worried that this latest blow-up will drive him out of business.

Commissioner Randy Leonard first urged the mayor to make the proclamation based on his assessment that the desires of 100 Tibet supporters vastly outweigh the viability of Oregon's business community.

According to his blog, Commissioner Leonard was asked by a reporter if he was concerned that the proclamation in support of Tibet would damage Portland's economic relationship with China, the state's biggest trading partner. In response, the commissioner said, "We should not have to sacrifice our principals of free speech and religion to do business with China." Tell that the next firm that loses business with a Chinese customer.

Portland city council candidate Jesse Cornett: A plan for jobs

Jesse Cornett's 5 Ideas to Create Jobs in Portland:

1. The City should have a Commissioner of Jobs to interact with each City Bureau to ensure it's operating in as business friendly manner as possible and to suggest changes when they are not.
2. Think globally but bank locally. City funds should be deposited into a locally owned community bank or credit union that is more likely to invest its money in Kenton rather than Dubai.
3. The City should provide low-interest loans and grants to neighborhood business owners through creation of a Neighborhood Business Development Fund.
4. As a city, we should do our part to encourage the efforts of homeowners and businesses to lower their energy usage. Portland should reduce or even waive permit fees for energy conservation improvements that qualify for state and federal incentives if local contractors are utilized.
5. Portland should waive business license fees for 12 months for any existing or new small business with between 2-10 employees.

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of candidates' observations, opinions, and proposed policies regarding Oregon's economy and employment situation. Statements are limited to 150 words. To the extent possible, Exit Oregon use the candidates own words. Any editorial statements by Exit Oregon will be put in the comments.