Immigration order sows chaos, millennial migration subject of speculation and snowpocalypse damages onion industry.
Trump immigration ban sows chaos
President Trump’s executive order banning refugees triggered mass confusion and protest — and condemnation by business leaders. Demonstrators in Portland took over airports Saturday and Sunday demanding the order be reversed. Meanwhile, the CEOs of Intel and Nike issued statements criticizing the executive order. Oregon’s lone Republican congressman, Greg Walden, has yet to issue an official statement rearding the ban.
OSU President Ed Ray issues memo regarding the executive order
Ray’s statement details steps the university will take in coming weeks to help students, staff and faculty understand executive orders and their rights; learn more about the basics of immigration policy, visas, travel and others issues.
Meanwhile, Oregon State is already nearing capacity at its new Cascades campus in Bend, the Oregonian reports. The influx of students is pushing OSU toward a proposed plan to turn a 76-acre former landfill into the second half of the campus. The school hopes to secure a deal by March to move forward and double the campus’ footprint.
Millennial migration slows
A New York Times column speculates that the influx of millennials into cities may be slowing down. But Portland economist Joe Cortright thinks otherwise, as Willamette Week reports. Cortright speculates that millennials will continue to move to large cities, including Portland, for at least the next few years and the numbers will plateau in 2035.
Oregon’s snowy weather wreaks havoc on the onion industry
That hefty blanket of white caused nearly $100 million in damage in Eastern Oregon, the Capital Press reports. Up to 40 inches collected on rooftops, which caused 50 buildings to cave under the weight and destroy crops housed inside. Onion farmers in Oregon and Idaho produce nearly 25% of the nation’s harvest. Pricing effects are already evident. A bag of onions has increased from $3.50 to $10.
Speaking of expansion, the city of Redmond may extend its reach
A 314-unit development has been proposed for the northwest corner of the city, the first in the sector, the Bend Bulletin reports. If approved, the development would include single-family homes, cottage-style units, townhouses and apartments.
Salt & Straw is building a new manufacturing kitchen
The manufacturing facility is planned for the Central Eastside Industrial District, and partially funded by a $2 million Portland Development Commission loan, the Portland Tribune reports. The new building spans 28,000 square feet, 9,000-square-feet of which Salt & Straw plans to sublease. The facility won’t change how Salt & Straw manufactures ice cream — owners say pints will still be hand packed and produced five gallons at a time — but allow production to increase and put more ice cream on the shelves.
In other funding news, Jeld-Wen raised more than expected in its IPO
The door and window maker priced its IPO at $23 a share, hoping to hit $452 million. Investors managed to drive that price up nearly 14%, raising $475 million for the former Oregon company, the Oregonian reports.
