In today’s news, Columbia moves back to Portland, Portland Bottling Co. gets new owner and Comcast to offer gigabit internet.
1. Columbia’s SOREL brand headquarters returns to Portland
Columbai Sportwear moved its SOREL headquarters from downtown Portland to Washington County in 2001. SOREL is the second largest brand under the Columbia umbrella, with annual sales reaching $220 million. The Portland Tribune reports Portland has been advocating for the company’s return since its relocation 15 years ago.
2. Portland Bottling Company sold
Ed Maletis’ Limnes Bottling Acquisition Company purchased the 100-year-old company today. Portland Bottling Co. is a regular on our Private 150 list. Maletis says all 90 employees will remain under his ownership. Terry Michelson, former Craft Brew Alliance CEO has been named CEO of Portland Bottling.
3. Google may be out, but Comcast is in
Comcast announced it will offer gigabit internet service in Oregon and Southwest Washington in early 2017, the Oregonian reports. Prices haven’t been released, but test markets are paying $140 a month, or $70 a month with a 3-year contract.
4. Klamath Tribes protest Swan Lake hydroelectric project
The Tribes filed an official opposition with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week. Swan Lake is one of six like hydroelectric storage projects in the Northwest, and the furthest along in the regulatory process. The Tribes oppose the project because it would affect cultural resources, according to the Herald and News.
5. Oregon to study bighorn sheep pneumonia
Come fall, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife typically relocates some bighorn sheep to help with the population’s genetic diversity. This year, researchers are instead focusing on a bacteria that causes pneumonia and kills much of the population, the Bend Bulletin reports. Just last year the Malheur County herd dropped from 150 to 30 due to illness. The annual bighorn sheep hunt has also been cancelled because of illness.
6. Providence Park may see $50 million expansion
Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said he’s considering adding 4,000 seats to the stadium, the Portland Business Journal reports. The park was last renovated in 2011 before the Timbers’ first season at Providence.
7. Strange Bedfellows: Measure 97 and the B Corps Exemption
Is Measure 97’s B Corps exemption a betrayal of the socially responsible business philosophy?
