AGP Executive Report

Retail & Expansion: Burlington is adding 12 new stores, including a Hillsboro, Oregon location opening July 3, as the off-price chain pushes past TJ Maxx in multiple states. Local Construction & Growth: Redmond’s Eastside Arterial Project is over halfway done on a $43.6M road plan with new roundabouts and road upgrades, aimed at easing congestion and unlocking development. Housing: Bend’s Nine Peaks affordable community is nearly complete and taking applications, with rents starting at $915 and ADA-compliant units for residents with disabilities. Workforce & Community Sports: The Forge Community Iceplex in Bend says it has about $10M toward a $40M, year-round indoor ice facility, targeting a September opening timeline. Public Infrastructure Tech: Bangor, using Oregon-based Daxbot robots, is mapping sidewalks and ramps for ADA compliance—an example of how Oregon tech is getting deployed for accessibility planning. Business & Policy Watch: Oregon’s Prosperity Council recommendations are drawing sharp debate from economists on whether the state needs more investment or a different approach to competitiveness. Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to red onions has sickened hundreds across multiple states, including Oregon, prompting broad recalls. Holiday Ops: Independence Day closures and schedules are shifting for federal offices, the post office, and markets, with many banks open July 3.

Interstate Bridge (I-5) Milestone: Oregon and Washington cleared a major hurdle as federal agencies issued an amended record of decision for the $14.4B Interstate Bridge replacement, setting up permitting, grant obligations, and contractor selection for construction. Workforce & Wages: Oregon’s minimum wage rises 50 cents per hour effective July 1, with different regional rates tied to cost of living. Public Safety & Health: ODHS is asking the public to help find missing 16-year-old Jaylynn O’Hara near Eugene; Providence is also investing $9M to modernize operating rooms at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Fraud Watch: Oregon regulators warned of a life-insurance fraud ring that signs people up without consent, targeting older adults. Energy & Environment: The U.S. Army Corps says it will use deep drawdowns at Willamette Valley reservoirs to improve threatened native fish passage while continuing hydropower operations. Food & Farm Labor: Washington’s labor agency fined Superbee Contracting about $700,000 for farmworker protection violations affecting workers across Washington and Oregon. Arts & Community: Portland’s Cultural Corridor group is launching Portland Arts Week, aiming to rebuild momentum for local arts as funding and costs strain organizations.

Interstate Bridge Replacement: Federal agencies approved an amended environmental decision for the I-5 bridge replacement between Portland and Vancouver, clearing the way for procurement, permitting, and a first construction phase that includes a more seismically resilient span plus shared-use path and future light-rail space. Wildlife & Transportation Safety: Oregon secured $33.2M in federal funding for the Mariposa wildlife overpass over I-5 south of Ashland, with SOU research using camera traps and AI analysis to guide design. Healthcare Workforce Training: Oregon Tech Foundation won a $142K Roundhouse Foundation grant for dental clinic equipment and a new 3D mammography unit to expand hands-on dental hygiene and medical imaging programs. Energy & Housing Upgrades: Portland opened applications for $10M in clean energy grants for regulated affordable multifamily housing, while Western governors pushed a multi-state effort to speed transmission permitting. Business & Services: CLA acquired Perkins & Co., expanding its Portland-area accounting and advisory footprint. Manufacturing Spotlight: SIG SAUER released a “Made in America” film highlighting Oregon electro-optics and other U.S. production sites. Agriculture & Food: A new U.S. beekeeping survey (with OSU and Auburn) found managed honeybee colonies down nearly 40% year-over-year, still a major threat to crops.

Oregon Infrastructure & Growth: Portland International Airport wrapped its 11-year, $2.15B main terminal rebuild, boosting capacity, seismic resilience, and local retail and dining—without full-day closures. Broadband & Telecom: Small fiber providers are backing away from the federal BEAD broadband program as costs rise and returns shrink, with Oregon-linked funding also affected. Energy & Grid Planning: Western governors backed a $60B push to expand transmission lines to handle surging demand from AI, EVs, and manufacturing. Manufacturing & Pharma (Oregon tie-in): Thermo Fisher will install AustinPx’s KinetiSol technology at its Bend, Oregon drug manufacturing site, extending the platform into commercial production. Workforce & Education: Cascade Health Alliance awarded Klamath Community College $363K to build a childcare learning center for low-income families—aiming to unlock up to 144 child slots. Public Safety & Justice: Jackson County jail capacity drops 20% (62 beds) as the basement closes to cut costs. Food & Consumer Protection: DOJ and 17 AGs say major egg companies coordinated to manipulate egg prices via Urner Barry submissions, with Oregon’s Willamette Egg Farms named. Local Economy & Housing: A Lancaster, Pa., apartment boom update highlights Mosaic’s delayed timeline, with foundation work targeted for this fall and first move-ins projected for 2029.

Port & Logistics: Oregon’s International Port of Coos Bay landed a $25 million federal grant for the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port project, pushing the $2B effort toward environmental review and permitting for a new container terminal. Energy & Industry: Leatherman Tool Group named Robert Yturri global VP of sales and marketing, signaling a push for broader growth and go-to-market execution. Tech & Finance: Vancouver fintech JUDI.AI closed a growth round led by Conexus Venture Capital, with Oregon’s Unitus Community Credit Union among investors, aiming to expand cash-flow underwriting for small business lending. Workforce & Community Impacts: OSU-Cascades’ Little Kits daycare is set to close Thursday, leaving families scrambling after the center used $3.4M in state and federal funds. Aviation & Infrastructure: Portland International Airport’s 11-year, $2.15B renovation is officially complete, with seismic upgrades and a redesigned main terminal. Environment & Regulation: Oregon-area air rules are in the spotlight as AG Raoul leads a coalition opposing EPA changes that would let major pollution sources start construction without NSR permits. Local Economy & Travel: ODOT warns of holiday delays on I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge as crews replace an eastbound bridge span.

Oregon Energy & Grid: Oregon’s DEQ is seeking public comment on an expanded Hanford cleanup permit renewal covering 52 waste sites, with Ecology accepting input through Oct. 27 and holding an informational session July 15. Wildfire Utility Liability: Oregon’s top court agreed to hear PacifiCorp’s appeal over a judge’s refusal to recuse, tied to classwide wildfire damages affecting about 2,000 property owners. Transportation Accessibility: ODOT is upgrading Salem-Keizer curb ramps and crosswalks to meet ADA standards, with crews working downtown and targeting intersections like Front Street SE and Court Street SE. Food Safety: USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for Private Selection Honey Dijon Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breasts with Rib Meat (lot 15326A, “best if used by” June 28, 2026) due to an undeclared egg allergen; shipped to Kroger/Fred Meyer locations including Oregon—consumers should discard or return. Workforce & Childcare: Cascade Health Alliance awarded Klamath Community College $363K to build a childcare center with up to 144 slots for infants through age 5. Industry Innovation: Oregon-based InsightsNow partnered with Compusense to launch BehaviorLens, adding “Implicit” and “Emotions” tests for faster consumer reaction capture. Local Economy: PILT payments are flowing to all 36 Oregon counties, with Baker County receiving more than $2.2M.

Federal Courts & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court backed Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in a “for cause” dispute, limiting President Trump’s ability to remove top Fed officials via due-process shortcuts. Energy & Environment: Oregon DEQ fined PGE $260,700 for air quality and greenhouse gas violations at the Boardman plant, including emissions calculation errors and reporting failures. Housing & Construction: Oregon Housing and Community Services approved a loan to build 16 rental cottages in north Baker City (plus 8 in Ontario) under the state’s factory-produced housing push. Workforce & Social Services: Oregon says more than half of SNAP Employment and Training (STEP) participants land jobs after the program, as demand rises around federal SNAP work rules. Food Safety: USDA issued a public health alert for mislabeled raw chicken breast products sold at Fred Meyer and Kroger stores in multiple states, including Oregon. Local Industry & Growth: Skanska promoted Bryan Northrop to lead its advanced technology construction unit covering Oregon and data center/semiconductor projects. Transportation: ODOT is warning drivers about Fourth of July travel and ongoing work zones, including I-84 bridge lane reductions and Historic Columbia River Highway wall repairs. Agriculture: OSU’s ag economist flags concerning early sweet cherry pricing for Northwest growers.

Oregon Industry Watch: Oregon’s wine and food economy gets a boost as Van Duzer Vineyards uses sheep grazing to restore habitat for the endangered Fender’s blue butterfly, showing how agriculture and conservation can work together. Energy & Environment: BPA is ending funding for Oregon/Washington’s SAFE fisheries program, raising alarms that decades of Lower Columbia salmon mitigation work could be disrupted. Clean Tech & Materials: Looptworks (Gresham) is taking delivery of Jeanologia-built Green Machine 4.0 to scale hydrothermal recycling of blended textiles—an Oregon-linked step toward circular manufacturing. Workforce & Logistics: H-2B visa delays are already forcing at least one Oregon-area carnival operator to cut events, a reminder that seasonal labor rules can ripple through local tourism and fairs. Privacy & Regulation: ATF has dropped a warrantless mobile-device tracking tool after lawmakers and courts challenged its use of commercial location data—an issue Oregon policymakers will be watching. Local Business: Portland craft spirit brands scored in a national USA Today readers’ poll, with Straightaway Cocktails and Four Corners American Gin earning top-category recognition.

Food & Safety: USDA issued multiple food safety actions in one day, including a public health alert for Private Selection Honey Dijon raw chicken breasts sold in Oregon and neighboring states due to an undeclared egg allergen. Energy & Industry: Lake County officials are raising alarms about “dire” power reliability in Eastern Oregon, pointing to frequent outages and arguing electricity supply may be limiting new industry even as Pacific Power pushes transmission upgrades. Fisheries: BPA is ending funding for the SAFE salmon fisheries program that Oregon and Washington agencies run, leaving hatchery salmon at risk and putting decades of Lower Columbia River mitigation work in jeopardy. Local Infrastructure: ODOT is collecting public input on Center Street Bridge use ahead of long construction for a seismic retrofit, with the survey open until July 19. Agriculture & Retail: A Rogue Valley farm-direct store model is helping small producers reach customers, with La Fuente Market expanding beyond pork into produce and value-added goods from about 20 Southern Oregon farms. Community & Travel: Redmond Municipal Airport was named a top “resort airport” by USA Today, highlighting Central Oregon’s visitor draw. Public Safety: Oregon fire officials warn residents to use only legal fireworks and follow burn restrictions as dry conditions raise wildfire risk.

Transportation & Infrastructure: ODOT is asking how drivers use Salem’s Center Street Bridge before a late-2026 seismic retrofit, with a survey running through July 19. Road Construction: I-5 Exit 248 in Salem will see a two-day southbound off-ramp closure July 8-10, with detours via Exit 252. Public Safety: Oregon fire officials warn residents to follow fireworks rules as burn restrictions kick in ahead of a potentially active wildfire season. Rural Access & Engineering: Highway 229 remains closed six months after a Dec. 2025 landslide, with ODOT still evaluating temporary and long-term repair concepts. Energy Reliability: Lake County leaders are raising alarms about electricity supply and outage frequency in Eastern Oregon, even as Pacific Power pushes transmission upgrades. Agriculture & Food Systems: A University of Idaho and Limagrain wheat breeding partnership has produced first collaborative varieties for the Pacific Northwest. Local Food Retail: Rogue Valley farm-direct stores like La Fuente are expanding sales channels for small producers. Power Security: A Meridian man faces federal charges for allegedly shooting at Idaho Power hydro facilities. Wildlife Management Controversy: The Trump administration has moved to lift a ban on cyanide M-44 devices, reigniting debate over indiscriminate wildlife poisoning.

Oregon Energy & Infrastructure: ODOT will close the southbound Exit 248 ramp on I-5 in Salem for two days starting July 8 (reopens July 10), with detours via Exit 252 and daytime/night work plus possible debris and delays. Housing & Efficiency: Eugene City Council is moving toward a requirement that home sellers disclose a Home Energy Score in listings and showings, aiming to give buyers clearer info on energy costs and upgrade options. Recycling & Materials: St. Vincent de Paul’s mattress recycling program in Eugene is diverting about 250 mattresses a day, with Oregon totaling 130,000 beds recycled since launch. Local Governance: Waldport voters are set for a special recall election that could end the fight over six council members, with ballots due by July 13. Ag & Industry: Cairnspring Mills, a flour producer west of Burlington, earned “The Climate Label” certification, highlighting climate-focused sourcing and emissions-reduction planning. Workplace Safety: A national look at heat rules notes Oregon is among the few states requiring water breaks for outdoor workers in extreme heat.

Housing Affordability Gap: In Teton Valley, Idaho home prices have surged to about $1M, while median income sits near $116,000—leaving many workers priced out and commuting from other counties. Workforce Housing Push: A major land donation to Teton Valley Housing aims to expand workforce options, tying affordability to long-term economic stability. Oregon Industrial Growth: Eugene moved ahead on Amazon’s new 317,640-square-foot warehouse near the airport, issuing construction permits and projecting “several hundred” jobs. Local Governance & Land Use: Deschutes County’s Lower Bridge Valley farmland fight is now in Salem, with the state weighing whether a 710-acre rezoning should face an administrative trial. Public Safety & Mobility: Eugene will pilot Patterson Street safety changes—reducing traffic to one lane and adding a protected bike lane after a fatal crash. Food & Health Alerts: USDA/FSIS issued warnings about raw chicken breast products sold at Kroger and Fred Meyer stores in Oregon and other states due to undeclared allergens. Ag & Community Resilience: Klamath Basin officials are tracking a potential grasshopper outbreak, using a new reporting portal to spot localized surges early. Manufacturing/Robotics Capital Markets: Oregon-based Agility Robotics plans to go public via a $2.5B SPAC merger, betting on commercial humanoid warehouse robots. Education & Career Pathways: Oregon FFA warns budget cuts could remove up to $1.1M—threatening student access to career and technical education programs.

Workforce & disaster readiness: Camp Ready2Respond brought 130+ Oregon high school students from 17 counties to Albany for hands-on disaster response training, building emergency shelter units and practicing roles across construction, culinary, medical/safety, and communications. Public safety & environment: The Klamath Fish Hatchery reopened June 1 after a rebuild following the 2020 Two Four Two Fire, with $8.1 million in construction costs and a pilot effort reintroducing about 10,000 spring Chinook. Food industry watch: USDA/FSIS issued a public health alert for misbranded raw chicken-breast products sold at Kroger and Fred Meyer in Oregon and other states, citing undeclared egg allergen; consumers are told to throw away or return affected packages. Cannabis banking: Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley helped refile the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act to let banks serve state-legal cannabis businesses without federal penalties. Oregon business climate: The Prosperity Council’s final report challenges Gov. Tina Kotek to replace the Climate Protection Program with smaller tax-code changes to boost Oregon’s economy. Agriculture research: Northwest researchers are scouting wheat “falling number” hot spots using both old and rapid tests to identify causes that can cut market value. Recycling law fight: A disposable food-supplies company told an Oregon federal court the state’s recycling modernization law violates due process by using a private entity to set fees and classifications.

Critical Minerals & Energy Intel: The Oregon Group expanded its critical minerals intelligence platform with real-time, supply-chain coverage across oil, uranium, copper, nickel, rare earths and more, citing a rare multi-commodity supply stress convergence. Wildfire Engineering in Oregon Schools: Henley High School students built a retired school bus into a mobile wildfire command center for the Oregon Department of Forestry, adding custom workstations and Starlink for remote planning. Housing & Public Works Funding Fight: Portland’s Moda Center renovation debate is heating up as Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon says he won’t fund upgrades, pushing city/county financing questions. Oregon Economy Policy Push: Gov. Tina Kotek’s Prosperity Council released recommendations focused on tax changes, streamlined regulation, and making more protected land available for industry. Water & Farm Impacts: A drought-driven look at Central Oregon shows how water-law protections can leave some farmers paying the price as river flows shrink. Food Safety: USDA issued a public health alert for a honey Dijon boneless chicken product sold at Kroger and Fred Meyer due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. Public Safety: Oregon officials urged fireworks caution as burn restrictions kick in ahead of a risky wildfire season. Construction & Procurement: Pacific Northwest top bidders list highlights multiple Oregon public works awards, including airport apron rehab and street safety projects.

Local Retail Expansion: Lone Tree, Douglas County is moving ahead with a rezoning/plot amendment to bring Dutch Bros Coffee to a 1,025-square-foot drive-through site near Kohl’s, with dual lanes for up to 23 vehicles and a runner-based ordering system. Power & Grid Watch: A new analysis of PacifiCorp’s Extended Day-Ahead Market finds Oregon-linked PacifiCorp West clearing at higher prices than the eastern footprint, with early signs of two distinct power “regimes” driven by solar dynamics. Housing & Permitting: Bend is expanding its Pre-Approved Plans Program for ADUs and more “middle housing” types, aiming to cut permitting steps, timelines, and costs. Transportation Planning: Bend’s MPO is seeking public comment on a US97 amendment that adds about 1.5 miles of multi-use path alongside repaving. Food Assistance Accountability: USDA says SNAP payment errors hit $10.1B in FY2025; Oregon’s error rate was 14.14%, putting it in line for new federal penalties. Salmon Hatchery Funding: Oregon officials are pushing back after Bonneville Power Administration plans to end support for the SAFE salmon hatchery program by Sept. 30, 2026. Engineering Leadership: Oregon Tech Dean Neslihan Alp was elected to the National Institute for Engineering Ethics board.

Invasive Pest Watch: WSDA is laying out spring plans to eradicate Japanese beetles in the Grandview area, including insecticide treatment on properties in and around the infestation zone, with public open houses and consent letters to landowners. Food & Biosecurity: WSDA and Oregon’s ODA issued a recall of Signature Pet Care Songbird Blend wild birdseed sold in WA and OR after Palmer amaranth seeds were found, raising risks for crops and native habitats. Animal Health Alert: Oregon officials linked Oregon cat HPAI cases to raw pet food, with lab confirmation of H5N1 in both cats and specific Wild Coast Raw lots, urging pet owners to check lot numbers and contact vets if symptoms appear. Agriculture Policy: WSDA and ODA are proposing grape quarantine rule updates to protect Washington’s vineyards and align movement rules with Oregon and Idaho. Energy & Jobs: Avangrid announced a battery storage project in Gilliam County, Oregon, plus annual donations to local early childhood education and childcare groups. Public Safety Infrastructure: Oregon State Police plans a new Eugene crime lab/morgue/medical examiner facility, with construction targeted to start next March and a 2029 opening. Local Industry Support: MHEFI awarded a record $312,300 in scholarships to 73 future material handling, logistics, and supply chain leaders.