Apple to utilize wastewater in Prineville, and Portland approves of Google Fiber.
OREGON NEWS
Waste not. Apple confirmed last week it will utilize wastewater for evaporative cooling at its Prineville data centers. Prineville Mayor Betty Roppe takes credit for the project, which will save an estimated 5 million gallons a year in water. Apple reportedly used an estimated 27 million gallons of water last year to cool the facility. The Oregonian has more.
Fishing for funding. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is reportedly looking at the pot tax for revenue. A task force has met since January to find potential resources, and The Bend Bulletin reports 11 sources have been identified. The task force is also looking at a 1% tax on recreation equipment that could bring in $4.9 million for the ODFW.
Fiber future. Portland approved plans for the first “fiber hut” last week. What’s a fiber hut, you ask? It’s a small building that contains telecommunications and other equipment necessary for Google to provide high-speed internet. Google has been working toward opening a fiber hut in Portland since February 2014. Those plans were delayed by a Supreme Court ruling, which required an additional tax on the service. Despite the hoopla, Google Fiber has yet to sign a formal commitment to serve Portland, the Oregonian reports.
Closing up shop. Tigard-based Western Family Foods has agreed to consolidate with Topco. Western Family announced this includes signing over its private label of products. KOIN 6 reports Topco has not announced it will keep any employees and the Tigard building will close at the end of the year.
Vacation rentals unite. As Hood River grapples with Airbnb, coastal vacation rental agencies are watching the rise of Vacasa. Read our From the Archive interview with Vacasa cofounder Cliff Johnson.
100 Best. And don’t forget to check out our 100 Best Green companies photo gallery!
NATIONAL NEWS
LinkedUp. Microsoft has signed a deal to purchase LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. NPR reports the deal has been unanimously approved by both boards, as of Monday. LinkedIn will keep its branding, but will move under Microsofts’s Productivity and Business Processes division.
Bitcoin comeback. The digital currency’s value has increased by more than 30% since mid-May, topping $700 Monday. Bitcoin hasn’t been worth this much since February 2014, on the downward spin from it’s $1,100 high after initial release. Read more from Business Insider.
