METBA

Montavilla East Tabor Business Association

Job Opening: METBA District Organizer

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Job title: Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) District Organizer
Hours: 10 hours/week Monday-Friday; Occasional Nights/Weekends
Compensation: $20.00 per hour
Start Date: June 2021
Supervisor: METBA President

Position Description:

The METBA District Organizer supports the unique businesses, residents, and history of the Montavilla Business District. The ideal candidate is a people-person and a natural networker who can successfully multitask while proactively building community engagement. The position requires strong communication and organizational skills, excellent attention to detail, computer fluency, flexibility, creativity, and a commitment to METBA’s mission and values. The METBA District Organizer will spend at least 30% of work hours ‘on the street’ engaging with district business owners.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Build METBA Capacity. Strengthen METBA by increasing membership renewal/enrollment and community engagement.
    • Increase Business Association membership by 10-20% via its annual membership campaign promoting new member benefits, networking opportunities, educational seminars and marketing. Visit all district businesses at least quarterly.
    • Support increased business engagement by helping to implement the Communication Committee’s comprehensive strategy including earned media, newsletters, social media presence and website development. Support committee and Board in engaging diverse stakeholders including neighborhood businesses, residents, developers, schools, visitor and cultural destinations, legacy businesses and other public and private partners. Take photos at district events and business visits and provide to Communication Committee for newsletter, social media and website.
  • Support METBA Events. Support the signature METBA annual event and additional quarterly events; implement revenue generating components; track and analyze event results. Maintain and promote online calendar of district activities, events and promotions. Take photos and provide to Communications Committee.
  • Support the All-Volunteer METBA Board of Directors and Committees. Attend Board and Committee meetings and present Organizer progress on outreach, membership, events and activities; support the volunteer Board’s efforts and initiatives. Track board/committee hours; recognize contributions; help to recruit new volunteer board/committee members.
  • Represent the METBA Business Association. Build relationships with neighborhood businesses and community groups through digital and/or in-person communication; advocate for Business Association support; promote membership, events, activities and successes.
  • Explore the District. Spend at least 30% of work time ‘on the street’ to understand the unique needs of neighborhood businesses and propose appropriate resources and events.
  • Manage Data. Ensure effective data tracking to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and analyze impact of outreach, events, marketing and volunteer recruitment efforts (qualitative and quantitative); analyze program results, utilize data analysis to create materials and future programs; increase program utilization by diverse constituents.
  • Assist President with all other duties as requested.

Qualified individuals:

Please email your resume complete with contact information and references to:

Venture Portland Announces Reopening Panel Discussions

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This post was copied from Venture Portland’s enewsletter:

 

RSVP for [Venture Portland’s] Upcoming COVID-19 Business Reopening Panel Discussions

COVID-19 Reopening Q&A for Retailers with Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury

Retailers! Do you have questions about the reopening your store during COVID-19? Trying to figure out how you should set up your store? Unsure of how to balance personal safety and financial necessity?

Join us Thursday, 5/28 from 1-2pm when our special guests Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury, The Department of Health and retail business owners answer your questions about what’s going on, when it’s happening, what the hold ups are and how to get back to business. Share your questions or concerns with County officials and catch up on how your peers are planning to get back into stores and restoring revenue streams.

Register for the Retailer Q&A on 5/28 from 1-2pm
COVID-19 Reopening Listening Sessions with Prosper Portland
The City of Portland and Prosper Portland, in partnership with Venture Portland and the Portland Independent Restaurant Alliance, are hosting listening sessions to hear from businesses in the restaurant and personal services industries, and how the city can support as we look towards reopening. This is a part of a series of industry and culturally specific listening sessions open to the public. This session is intended for business owners in the restaurant and personal services industries. If these sessions are fully registered, a video will be made available when the session concludes.

COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

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We understand that this is a difficult time for families, individuals, those experiencing homelessness — everyone, in other words. As METBA is a business association, I thought I would gather and share resources for businesses specifically here. Montavilla is not Montavilla without our amazing local businesses. We need them and they need us. (disclaimer: I wanted to get this out quickly, so please pardon my typos and forgive me if the sources below repeat the same information)

Small Business Advocacy

Businesses without employees or with fewer than 100 employees can contact the Office of Small Business Assistance via email at business.sos@oregon.gov or by calling toll free 1-844-469-5512.

Work Share Oregon

When times are tough, Work Share provides Oregon businesses an alternative to layoffs. This newly streamlined program allows employers to leverage unemployment insurance (UI) to subsidize a portion of lost wages for employers whose work time is reduced due to market downturns or other business stressors.

Learn More

State of Oregon Employment Department

​​​​​​​​​The health and safety of workplaces is of utmost importance to the Oregon Employment Department. This summary provides general guidance to employers, workers, and job seekers who may be impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus. This document will be updated as more information becomes available. The Oregon Employment Department is working with partner agencies nationwide and the U.S. Department of Labor to ask for additional unemployment benefits options related to COVID-19.

Learn More

Oregon Health Authority’s Respiratory Illness Page

COVID-19/coronavirus news from the state, nation, and globe.

Visit Site

Predictive Scheduling

Oregon’s predictive scheduling law applies only to employers with 500+ employees and requires certain advance notice of scheduling changes.

Learn More

Sick Time and Oregon Law

Oregon sick time laws apply to Portland businesses with 6 or more employees.

Learn More

Oregon Family Leave Act

The Oregon Family Leave Act applies to businesses with 25 or more employees.

Learn More

More Resources

COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Businesses

Greater Portland: Response to Coronavirus

Nonprofit Oregon COVID-19 Resources

Small Business Administration Disaster Relief Loan Info

 

 

7 Things To Do in Montavilla this Spring

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Shop at the Montavilla Farmers Market

Starting May 5th, the market is open every Sunday through October from 10 am to 2 pm. Buy local fresh produce and farm-based products. The market is located in the parking lot across from Mr. Plywood on Stark Street.

Stop by the METBA Spring Block Party May 18th

This annual event is an afternoon of music, art, food, wine, and family-friendly activities. The fun begins at 3 pm and goes till 9 pm on 81st Ave between Stark St. and Oak St. Check out our Montavilla.biz events page for more details.

Join a Neighborhood Clean Up

Participate in an existing event or even organize a clean up for your area. The city of Portland has neighborhood resources like SE Uplift to help you get started. Love Mt.Tabor? The nonprofit Friends of Mt.Tabor offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Behold a Mt. Tabor Sunrise or Sunset

Bring your camera and take in spectacular views of the Portland cityscape or Mt.Hood. Be on the look out for the beautiful mid-May rhododendrons blooms. The park gates open at 5 am and close at 10 pm. Note the park is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays.

Participate in the Local Arts Scene

Attend an art walk, hear local music, or attend some live theater. Here are a few ideas:

Remember Your Mom

Score major Mom points with these gift ideas for Mother’s Day:

Hop on your bike

A bike ride is a great way to find some of our neighborhood gems:

Get out and enjoy springtime in Montavilla!

2018 Montavilla Street Fair Press Release

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For Immediate Release

Press Contact:
Steve Rice, METBA Executive Director
503-784-8082
stephenmichaelrice@gmail.com

7/4/18

The Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA) is pleased to announce that its 7th annual street fair will occur on Sunday, July 29th in Downtown Montavilla from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Once again, fair organizers have secured permits from the city of Portland to close down SE Stark Street between 76th and 82nd Avenues for the event.

The Montavilla Street Fair is a family-friendly community celebration. In 2017, organizers estimated that 13,000 people attended the Montavilla Street Fair making it one of the largest street fairs in all of Portland and the single largest one-day event in East County. 15,000 are expected this year.

For the third year in a row, Adventist Health will be the presenting sponsor of the Montavilla Street Fair. “Adventist Health is proud to be an active member of the communities around us,” says Adventist Health’s David Russell, CEO. We continuously strive to be the best place for patients to receive care, and our presence at the Montavilla Street Fair is a way for us to remind our East Portland neighbors that we are close by and here to help.”

“Montavilla is an amazing community,” adds METBA President Tina Granzo. “Our residents and businesses, including Adventist Health always step up to support community events. The Montavilla Street Fair would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and volunteers.”

Organizers anticipate that over 150 vendors will be present at the event selling food and drink, art, hand crafts, clothing, as well as marketing local products and services. As in previous years, the event corresponds with the Montavilla Farmer’s Market, adding an additional layer of fun and activity. Tandem events – a flea market, art showcase, and music afterparty are being organized by partner groups adding to the diversity of event options.

Music will occur on three stages offering a diverse mix of local Portland music, including a kid’s stage in “Kid Villa.” Kid Villa is one of the unique aspects of our street fair,” says METBA Executive Director Steve Rice. “In addition to live music specifically for ‘the littles,’ this year we will be showcasing the musical talents of local youth.”

The full music line up including performance times can be found at Montavilla.Biz. Confirmed acts include Micah & Me (micahandmerocks.com).

Fair-goers can find day-of-event updates on Facebook and Instagram at #Montavilla Street Fair and #Go Local Montavilla. Attendees are encouraged to post their photos about the day’s goings-on!

The Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association is a 501c6 non-profit with the mission to develop and enhance the economic viability of Montavilla and to promote the interests of businesses within the Montavilla Business District.

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Business Tax License Increase

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The following information was provided by Venture Portland.

Mayor Wheeler’s proposed budget includes an increase in the Business License Tax (going from 2.2 percent of a businesses’ net income to 2.6 percent). It also includes, as an offset, a 21% increase in the Owners Compensation Deduction (going from $103,500 to $125,000).

Impact to Your Business

The proposed tax increase is .004 (or an additional $4 per $1,000 in taxes paid). The City created a calculator to determine how the proposed changes will impact your business. A few example scenarios:

$100,000 Net Income: Sole Proprietor would pay $650
$200,000 Net Income: Sole Proprietor would pay $1,950
$500,000 Net Income: Sole Proprietor would pay $9,750

Owners Compensation Deduction

The Owners Compensation Deduction currently allows business owners to deduct 75% of their net income, not to exceed $103,500 per owner, when filing their taxes. When the Owners Compensation Deduction had its last meaningful increase in 2014 (going from $92,000 to $100,000), the city estimated that more than 4,000 businesses would save $865,000 the year it went into effect. Please note, businesses grossing under $50,000 per year before expenses are exempt from paying the Business License Tax. For nonexempt businesses, the Owners Compensation Deduction allows them to deduct a portion of their net income pre-tax.

Proposed Use of Tax Increase

The Mayor expects the increased tax to generate $15 million/year. Per the Mayor’s proposed budget: “These changes [Business License Tax increase] would result in an estimated $15.3 million in additional revenues this year [7/1/18-6/30/19] to stabilize the budget for homeless services, invest more in moving people out of shelters and into housing, fund programs in the Police Bureau that support community-centered policing [add 49 Officers], add resources to trash and graffiti cleanup, and to provide additional small business support.” The Portland Business Alliance, which crafted the Business License Tax increase proposal with the Mayor, stated that the proposal: “also includes safeguards such as an annual review of program results, as well as a stated intention not to further raise the tax for at least ten years and to reconsider the increase if the tax environment in the city substantially changes.”

Action Needed: Like It, Hate It or Have Suggestions to Improve it – City Council Needs to Hear From You

Write a letter, call Commissioners or attend a Budget Hearing to let City Council know how your feel and what, if anything, you want in exchange for paying increased taxes. Letter writing best practices and City Council contact information are attached for your reference. Please cc: me on any emails sent to City Council and let me know if you plan to attend one of the hearings.

Budget Hearing Tonight – Thursday, 5/10 at City Hall (6-8pm)
Budget Hearing Next Week – Wednesday, 5/16 at City Hall (2-4pm)

Sample letter
Letter writing tips

Meet Your Local Business: Alena of alena botanica!

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  1. What does your business do?
    I design plant & hop inspired products, including home goods, glassware and apparel. I’ve been in business for about 10 years and use local fabricators to help create my products. Each of my designs tells a story about the plant and comes from an original photograph.
  2. How long have you been doing business in Montavilla?
    I’ve been living in Montavilla for about 6 months. Prior to that, I lived in the Foster-Powell area. I’m originally from Canada, but Vermont had been my home until I moved to Portland 3 years ago. I lived in Eugene in the 90’s after college.
  3. What might readers be surprised to know about you?
    Despite being a big plant geek, I’m not a vegetarian! I’m also proud to say that a brewing company I worked for in Vermont, The Alchemist, brewed a beer after me – the Alena IPA!
  4. What do you like to do outside of your business?
    I love visiting Portland’s nurseries. I’m a member of the Hardy Plant Society, so I always try to get out to open gardens. I’m a frequent traveler as well; I have a passion for the SW (New Mexico in particular) and find inspiration for my designs in the desert landscape. Oregon’s quiet coastal towns have been frequent destinations for me too.
  5. What does a perfect day in Montavilla look like to you?
    If I’m feeling extroverted, I’d start my day at Mt. Tabor Roastery on Glisan with my favorite blend, the Columbia. Afterwards, I’d hike up to Mt. Tabor. Later, I’d do some shopping at Union Rose and Maven in downtown Montavilla. Before seeing a movie at the Academy, I’d enjoy my favorite drink at Montavilla Brew Works, the Flam Tap IPA. Finally, I’d end my night by enjoying a Ginger Beer at the Observatory and getting some pizza at East Glisan Pizza Lounge. They have one of my favorite Happy Hours and it’s very close to home. If I am feeling introverted, I’d grab a coffee from Hungry Heart and spend the day working in my studio.
  6. When you were a child, what did you want to professionally?
    I actually wrote an essay in 8th grade talking about how I want to design things. I always used to think about rearranging furniture and loved to sketch and take photographs. I ended up receiving an education in biology, horticulture and landscape design. As time went on, I discovered my artistic side and my love of photography, plants and design melded together to create alena botanica, a plant-inspired design studio.
  7. Any events coming up?
    Yes!

    1. da Vinci Arts Fair, December 2nd, 10-4:00
    2. Merry Montavilla Soiree: Pop-Up at Union Rose, Friday Dec. 8th, 4:00-8:00 pm
    3. Holiday Open House at alena botanica design studio, mid-December (Follow on Facebook: alena botanica or Instagram @alenabotanica for details)

 

Neighbors Want to Know: When Will a Full-Service Grocer Arrive in Montavilla?

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This past spring, METBA mailed a survey to households in and around Montavilla. A primary goal for the
survey was to better understand what goods and services neighbors would benefit from having within
Montavilla’s business district.

There were 245 responses to the question: What good and services are missing in Montavilla?

It may come as no surprise that “grocery store” was the overwhelming choice, mentioned in 27% of all
responses. Montavilla has been without a full-service grocery store since 2013 when Safeway closed its location at 82 nd and Burnside. While several local specialty grocers are thriving, such as La Bouffe
International Gourmet, neighbors must still travel outside of the ‘hood for their general shopping needs.

Many respondents mentioned a need for a particular service (e.g., hair/nails), a particular type of
restaurant (e.g., taqueria), or a specific type of retail (i.e., more clothes!), but specific responses varied
considerably. However, several themes arose:

  1. “Grab and go,” inexpensive food options are lacking
  2. Kid-friendly options are being requested
  3. Some Montavilla residents yearn for a bookstore
  4. Glisan street needs more shops, restaurants, and services

If you have a business in mind that you’d like to see in Montavilla, recruit them! Download our 4-page guide to locating a business in Montavilla.

A final note of interest is that many respondents were requesting goods and services that actually
already exist in Montavilla! Did you know that Montavilla already has the following types of businesses?

  • Dry cleaning (Sunshine on Glisan)
  • Hardware (Mr. Plywood)
  • Fitness (Cascade Athletic Club and Mt. Tabor Crossfit)

Are there other businesses in Montavilla that you could be taking advantage? Visit Montavilla.Biz to
view webpages for a wide variety of member businesses!

Annual Meeting Recap

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The METBA board and Association members met up at the Annual Members Meeting last week for a “year in review” session. The room felt energized. Thirty business owners turned out and the interest in supporting the work of the Association was encouraging! Eight new board members were elected, bringing the total board size to 13 people who will lend their time and talents to sustain the current trajectory of growth.

Paitong Thai, Ya Hala, and Hungry Heart donated goodies for the event, with beverages and the event space provided by Dana Cofer of Vino Veritas. Outgoing Association President Steve Rice highlighted the financial and membership growth over the last four years and strategic goals for the coming year. His year-in-review presentation can be viewed here.

Attendees had a chance to network with colleagues, introduce themselves and their businesses, and to talk about their needs as business owners and what they would like to see develop in the district. These were the responses:

  • Sponsorship opportunities for district events, such as Trick or Treat on Glisan Street, First Fridays, Frosty Fest and the Street Fair
  • Traffic to Glisan Street businesses (foot traffic or more businesses moving in)
  • Networking opportunities with other businesses, including referrals
  • Business skills training – building systems, best small business practices, etc.
  • Providing connections to home-based services
  • Getting value for social media $ – coordination
  • Collectively building up Montavilla’s tech resources
  • Sister event on major street

Potential board member names were thrown into the ring, with nominees saying a few words about themselves and what motivates them to join the board or a committee. All the nominees were voted in as at-large members in a block vote. The 2018 board of 13 will officially begin their work at the January 10th board meeting, when officers will be nominated and voted in. Returning board members Tina Granzo, of City Beautiful Design; Carmen Ripley, owner of Beanstalk; and Abby McKinnon, owner of Portland Child and Family Counseling, have indicated interest in assuming the roles of President, Vice President, and Secretary, respectively. The association is still seeking a treasurer.

One big change for the Association is an organizational restructuring that involves the hire of an Executive Director (a paid position at 10 hours/week) to oversee the operational aspect of the organization. The Board of Directors will be approving this restructure and filling the position at the end of the year. Tina Granzo explained to members that in order to sustain the progress the Association has made and to decrease the burden for the all-volunteer board, that it was in our best interest to hire a part-time Executive Director. The position has been posted on the business web site. Steve Rice has agreed to serve as the ED from January through June of next year, while the board conducts a job search.

A huge thank you goes out to the businesses and individuals who contributed their time, products and services to the annual meeting, and to all the members who attended and agreed to commit to board or committee participation.

CONNECT WITH METBA

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CONTACT METBA

Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association
(METBA)
P.O. Box 33342
Portland, OR 97292
info@metba.org

Venture Portland
This website was funded in part by a grant from Venture Portland.