[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6126899,"mediaKeyId","2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a","parentId",2665381,"title","Oregon Film reports growth in production and tourism; incentives provide ~25% rebate for qualifying projects","audioSeconds",181,"startMs",4819599,"endMs",5000645,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a&start=4819&end=5000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a/thumbnail_4819599.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126899/Oregon/Oregon-Film-reports-growth-in-production-and-tourism-incentives-provide-25-rebate-for-qualifying-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126899-808efe146c05c0b45b3936ff4c5c527f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158884&Signature=VLE4zBIV-Wr96lu5kPrB76vlNHO8RaCnmtxWDh75kQGwHX3vMss9FWNvssFopkwqkwZ~bQDBYuGnzbTqJFQ2bRIDnv1MCBZRX6I6pr-wLJur3lDtBVNLJt8x0J0qoq2aDA-XatDu~YVEfkIvk2KKpY7N-jWPArLV1v-myTm8jO5kSPu7rIuNmE0cH8M74mtD8wGsghm4mB8U20eNUGlQALgpzmXB5gp4iBB5pRR~Z1tWO8ZFUKYUAhJgzTShbsqbVqXwBSIpXsv0PPhSGgbTmMiPxc4LvRG2OJeQyCWdBd9R9gP9ePWrwU8x5SK-6wJfJa6Ttx5Tf9urwji-NEVd8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","The executive director of Oregon Film told the Ways and Means joint committee on March 17 that the state’s film incentive programs and a growing media sector have driven rapid industry growth and local economic impacts.

Tim Williams, executive director, described two incentive programs — the Oregon Production Investment Fund (OPIF) and the Green Light Labor Rebate Program — that operate through tax credits and rebates and together typically yield an approximate 25% rebate for qualifying projects after spending is verified. He said the office is a four‑person semi‑independent unit and that the current biennial budget request contemplates current service level plus cost‑of‑living adjustments.

Williams noted Oregon Film worked with 55 different projects in the 2024 calendar year — a 65% increase since 2020 and 46% increase from 2023 — and that incentivized projects produced roughly $300 million in direct spending and supported about 7,000 jobs in the 2021–23 biennium, according to the agency’s tracking. He also highlighted the animation industry (Laika, ShadowMachine) as an export industry and cited an EcoNorthwest report showing film and video direct output grew from about $178 million in 2004 to $1.25 billion in fiscal year 2023.

The office has promoted film tourism through an Oregon Film Trail with 43 markers and estimates film tourism contributes roughly $151 million annually. Williams described a new Creative Opportunity Fund that reserves incentive money to support local grants, training and placement programs; the office reported training, placement and mentorship initiatives have placed more than 60 people in paid set positions.

Ending: Oregon Film said it will provide its briefing materials and economic study to the committee; staff described the sector as a statewide economic driver that relies on many small businesses and called for continued modest incentive support and partnerships to sustain growth.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development 03/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Oregon Film told the committee the state’s incentive programs and growing animation sector supported $300M of direct spending in one biennium and helped draw 55 incentivized projects in 2024; the agency highlighted film tourism and a Creative Opportunity Fund for local creators.","taxTitle","Transportation and Economic Development, Ways and Means, Joint, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",20197,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126904,"Business Oregon staff outline plan to create Oregon Arts and Culture Development Office under bill to merge arts boards",678,2417870,3096090,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a&start=2417&end=3096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a/thumbnail_2417870.jpg","/articles/6126904/Oregon/Business-Oregon-staff-outline-plan-to-create-Oregon-Arts-and-Culture-Development-Office-under-bill-to-merge-arts-boards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126904-7f09b45ac29ba4e5e37599de73b6d9c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158884&Signature=YG-3bgkiLMu2t8XSddpsXwFdlT6h7xiLycSkUnfPuf35ZStTWFsTGDtzzZcifRd9aRxOpl-NyefoVizrdfhJ21TXUJ8z3XsnCUDeC1yUIG5Wv2PNZCZLF7qFRwvO3CPj5ZPdhpl9-uCwtIiPilArfm3jiPApKfv3mvGa4BhztH0f9f8YibFADr8bBiN95Vtdu8WSOWtG1qgLyh2iM7C9jHBoiR78dB2QJ0lbSOZYfJURzdr-BsSY84QSigW4FPaUuyqb1Qx7kvpzB0uVoOosNporSTZVMCLUDsg2CEBfYWx0jLg4U10rj0L8kBnBYJO9SG3gGrJKOW7K~ZzCCWu2JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business Oregon presented the Oregon Arts Commission and Oregon Cultural Trust programs to the joint Ways and Means committee on March 17 and flagged House Bill 3048, a community‑driven proposal to create a standalone arts office and a single oversight board.

Director Sipon Jing and senior program manager Leora Spanko reviewed the Cultural Trust’s funding sources — donations, license‑plate revenue and a cultural trust appropriation — and the Arts Commission’s portfolio of grant programs that support nonprofit arts organizations, artists and capital projects. Spanko said the Arts Commission funded roughly 600 nonprofit arts organizations this biennium with grants ranging from $2,000 to $30,000 and highlighted programs including sustaining arts (operating support), Arts Built Communities, arts learning, arts access (ADA alignment) and artist fellowships.

On governance, Business Oregon told the committee that House Bill 3048 would: 1) abolish the current Arts Commission and Cultural Trust boards and create a single Oregon Arts and Culture Development Board; 2) establish a new semi‑independent Oregon Arts and Cultural Development Office modeled on the Oregon Film and Video Office and transfer duties, powers, funds and grant programs currently administered by Business Oregon to the new office effective July 1 of the following biennium; and 3) keep treasury‑held arts trust accounts under Business Oregon custody while giving the new board authority over spending decisions. Agency staff said the bill is an agency concept driven by community work groups and does not create immediate budgetary impact but would change governance and operational responsibilities.

Spanko told lawmakers the Cultural Trust’s tax‑credit mechanism — where donors who give to a cultural nonprofit and to the Cultural Trust can receive a state tax credit — is unique among states and helps direct donations to cultural nonprofits. Staff said the Cultural Trust currently holds about $40 million in a treasury account and that most annual donation revenue is returned to the field as grants; programmatic expenditures include Cultural Coalitions and Tribes (county and federally recognized tribe allocations), cultural development grants and partner agency grants.

Committee members asked about timelines and how existing programs, including the Heritage Commission and Oregon Humanities partnerships, would transition; Business Oregon said the proposed office would need budget and staffing authorization and that grant funds and statutory accounts would follow the new board’s directions if the bill passes.

Ending: Business Oregon said it will provide the committee additional materials on the HB 3048 draft, the list of community work‑group members, and the timelines and mechanics for transferring programs and funds if the Legislature approves the concept.","Business Oregon presented the Arts Commission and Cultural Trust budgets and described House Bill 3048, a community‑driven proposal to create a semi‑independent Oregon Arts and Culture Development Office and a single oversight board, with existing funds and programs transferred from Business Oregon.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126909,"Business Oregon says certification processing times improved to ~60 days; outreach and capacity remain priorities",248,2858275,3106580,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a&start=2858&end=3106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a/thumbnail_2858275.jpg","/articles/6126909/Oregon/Business-Oregon-says-certification-processing-times-improved-to-60-days-outreach-and-capacity-remain-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126909-f1b5116b0a9f8e78c990ebbb5411fb5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158884&Signature=S0ZVSV7qRBP-Squs~WGz2LJ2BO7GBvlt53Dg-C3KgUVO19Y7K8xrwit4Ad6Lr6EjFHMepS8q-stf3KrPXVUoahQQmXpVG9xaZjI6Qq1iiBuUARa38nHRaA5bLFimHhPcR1bPH9D88kQ~qRUetoU85-FR24VK6HbUIeIKKVKaTJja-VVMMG2v~y2DXkuKlR5Gkq8ru9NF1l26S4um2pJH7kPDfF0SFhMKVbgnqq5SDK2H3fkLX75CrPG0saPLPA0YikfOHHQbyno2ujG--YahlyhidRq7IbYj6-mTqNzajp9IM~pdPuRhXRrdqyM~JzY7yqNj3ZOJqhv1EwROCTJogA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business Oregon told the Ways and Means joint committee on March 17 that its small‑business certification program has improved processing times and expanded outreach but still faces capacity constraints.

Kate Zinner and deputy staff described the agency’s role as Oregon’s sole certifying authority for four state certifications and two federal transportation‑related certifications. The agency said it crossed a milestone this week with 3,004 certified businesses and more than 5,000 total certifications across program types.

Committee members raised concerns about application processing times and outreach to eligible businesses. Representative Watanabe said application timing can be a barrier to work that starts quickly; Zinner said recent staffing increases have cut average new‑application processing time to about 60 calendar days and renewals to about 18 calendar days. The agency told lawmakers it processes roughly 83 files a week per team and has added a new outreach coordinator to increase presence at events and partnerships with technical assistance providers.

Lawmakers also asked how many businesses in Oregon could be eligible for certification. Business Oregon said the answer varies by certification type because the programs use different revenue and employee thresholds; for example, some agency programs use a 500‑employee federal definition for SSBCI contexts while the state emerging small business definition applies lower thresholds. Staff offered to consult economists and provide a written estimate derived from census and business‑registry data.

The agency also described process improvements that implemented plain‑language communications, reduced backlogs, and increased customer satisfaction. Staff said additional hires would further reduce processing times.

Ending: Business Oregon committed to providing the committee with written follow‑up on the count of potentially eligible firms, a breakdown of processing time improvements, and continued outreach plans.","Business Oregon told the committee it has improved certification processing times to an average of 60 days for new applications and 18 days for renewals, crossed 3,000 certified businesses, and recently added an outreach coordinator; staff said program definitions and potential eligible pools vary by certification type.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126913,"Business Oregon outlines lending programs, SSBCI and Oregon Inc. support for startups and manufacturers",571,1062190,1633695,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a&start=1062&end=1633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a/thumbnail_1062190.jpg","/articles/6126913/Oregon/Business-Oregon-outlines-lending-programs-SSBCI-and-Oregon-Inc-support-for-startups-and-manufacturers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126913-d2b57140fd832fa2d04288fd1fef49b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158884&Signature=iNxSfSkxhpEmVy~NNh9Rg0rXAmegBHk0RoNOlS4KLg1X84m3Sq9HFDXJqF0SMtmrzNjIds-oIw6bXrz4h4iU0eptG1HmqgADXRp1JhXiG6Ts4GHBXRUXIesj-TiKiKQg0GTGRTUtanjJglEDxxDfY9VFjNjnxRDjbmgLaT4vt~ZtWY9816PQdYtoEWnDc7N6AYCxZsgRSeqza0FgLLpxLeYZBEzbqZH1YrHPIGzbGzP4WNXX3ZosAVpJ71r3Lv~yi373DjtCi3aMmyeVECYIraAeKmgTfQR7-~tcxfxJErslF0OXHsUzK737sneBd6ilo84ArH-Mzstcl3qQpeJzYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business Oregon staff described a suite of lending and innovation programs to the joint Ways and Means committee on March 17, walking lawmakers through direct loans, loan participation, federal SSBCI funds and Oregon Inc. investments.

Kate Zinner, Innovation and Business Resources director, told co‑chairs that Business Oregon administers roughly 30 initiatives in the Innovation and Business Resources section with a biennial operational budget around $240 million. The agency highlighted four legacy and newer loan programs: the Oregon Business Development Fund (created in 1984), two earlier‑stage loan products and a loan participation program that purchases roughly half of certain loans to reduce lender risk.

Zinner said the agency’s lending programs were designed to support traded‑sector manufacturers and earlier‑stage firms, to partner with banks, CDFIs and economic development districts, and to be self‑sustaining. She cited an example of a $1 million OBDF loan paired with a $1 million bank loan that enabled a Portland wholesaler to buy warehouse space and add employees.

On federal SSBCI funding, Zinner said Oregon’s allocation is $83.5 million with an additional $2.4 million for technical assistance. The agency has allocated more than 80% of the first tranche and is seeking the second tranche (about $30 million). So far, Business Oregon reported SSBCI support for 24 Oregon businesses (17 debt, 7 venture capital investments).

Zinner also reviewed Oregon Inc. and the Oregon Innovation Council programs that back early‑stage high‑growth businesses and university commercialization. She said Oregon Inc. managed a portfolio that this biennium funded centers including biosciences, unmanned aerial systems, materials science, semiconductors and additive manufacturing — five Centers of Innovation Excellence were awarded this biennium — and she described the University Innovation Research Fund commitment that helped secure a $41 million EDA grant for mass timber research.

Committee members asked how the agency defines “small business” for different programs; Zinner and Deputy Director Cummings said definitions vary by program and sometimes use the federal 500‑employee threshold (SSBCI) while other agency programs use lower employee or revenue cutoffs. Lawmakers suggested considering revenue or lower employee thresholds for some state programs.

Zinner also laid out the Oregon Growth Board’s role in supporting state venture funds and distributing returns to education programs; she said the Oregon Growth account returned $12 million to education in the last biennium and projects about $11 million this biennium.

Ending: Business Oregon offered to provide the committee a program‑by‑program list of small‑business thresholds, detailed SSBCI tranche status, and follow‑up materials on the Centers of Innovation Excellence and regional innovation hubs.","Business Oregon presented its lending programs, State Small Business Credit Initiative allocation, and Oregon Inc. innovation investments, describing loan programs, SSBCI allocation ($83.5M), university partnerships and Centers of Innovation Excellence.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126917,"Business Oregon details $240 million semiconductor program, warns some funds may revert if federal matches fail",695,204930,900165,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a&start=204&end=900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665381-bac39b29ae445aaf7e8f3039d828126a/thumbnail_204930.jpg","/articles/6126917/Oregon/Business-Oregon-details-240-million-semiconductor-program-warns-some-funds-may-revert-if-federal-matches-fail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126917-ae7d0d9092844025f53bcd86c1c6ff53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158884&Signature=fKVIlxJG3Phf2KqYRtDjKShDHEt1o6MOeMSJoraDcJAwXJVAAHWHLvn9ntu9VPR9PN2hqYjMwvIL5BCgvklr0rRZw6uIzqioK-KUvcmiAJi4vvYibzxLralVYOifEpMZiF7Y7JD0A5RdQIpi2fUKtYCBLWBfUOJQlIYCFsK4-7AGbw9Z~trjBPfGfHLlzeg1dbLAQz3VJzy1vXTKgA8VLUySysvummkuEENvpttl3E-3kG2kEAEmQUElvqo99ZKZ4axmHvS19m0tXj8QVB3qkgLrCcGUpsyLxEqeS~YSugnpn94z44yEkv9HSN9-jdS8qdf06hR0UE1~r2te18Z0sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business Oregon told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means — Transportation and Economic Development on March 17 that the state’s $240 million semiconductor cash program has produced 15 awards and 11 signed contracts but remains contingent on federal awards for several projects.

Deputy Director Chris Cummings told committee members that the $240 million cited in HB 5024 is general‑fund money the agency used to award semiconductor incentive contracts. He said 11 contracts are signed and 15 awards have been announced. Cummings said some awards are contingent on projects’ receiving federal CHIPS Act funding; if federal awards are denied, the state statute would make those companies ineligible for the state money.

That contingency matters for the budget. Senator Tim Khotra asked whether the $240 million is bonded revenue or general fund; Cummings said it is general fund. He later told the committee his office expects roughly $30 million of the $240 million to remain uncontracted and therefore available to revert to the general fund if not used. “Right now we haven’t awarded $240,000,000… after that and some transfers… we expect that there’ll probably be around $30,000,000 left in non‑contracted funds to revert back,” Cummings said.

Cummings and Director Sipon Jing also discussed the state’s follow‑up programs for semiconductor projects, including a tax credit stream worth up to $255 million through 2029 and an industrial lands loan fund created because of a shortage of large industrial parcels suitable for semiconductor fabs. Business Oregon said it awarded eight loans in the first industrial lands round and anticipates three to five additional awards in a second round for municipalities upgrading industrial land for semiconductor or supply‑chain uses.

On jobs and investment, Cummings said contracted companies report their own figures and Business Oregon verifies the data with the Employment Department. He presented an estimate of $4 billion in anticipated capital investment tied to awarded projects and said the most recent company reporting cycle recorded 433 jobs across six reporting companies; the aggregate expectation for those six companies was about 3,800 jobs. Cummings emphasized these are point‑in‑time, self‑reported figures that will change as companies report new data.

Committee members pressed the agency on accountability and the metrics used in award agreements. Cummings said each contract is negotiated separately and may use different performance measures — for example, jobs created, income tax withholdings, or increases in tax ratables. Representative Nguyen asked for Oregon‑specific R&D expenditure breakdowns for firms such as Intel; Cummings said the agency would provide more localized figures.

The deputy director also noted competition from other states and that many projects involve vertically integrated supply chains with both domestic and international inputs, making simple “onshore/offshore” descriptions incomplete.

As HB 5024 moves through the budget process, committee members asked whether the state should assume federal CHIPS matching funds will arrive. Cummings cautioned that without federal awards some conditional state commitments could be withdrawn, affecting the contracted totals and any planned reversion to the general fund.

If additional information is requested, Business Oregon said it will provide updated lists of contracts, the metrics used in each agreement, and more detailed, Oregon‑specific R&D and employment data.

Ending: Business Oregon closed its semiconductor briefing by offering to supply further documentation on each contract’s metrics and on which awards are contingent on federal CHIPS Act funding. The agency emphasized that reported employment and investment figures are point‑in‑time and verified through later reporting with the Employment Department.","Business Oregon told the Ways and Means joint committee that $240 million in state funding to attract semiconductor projects has produced 15 awards and 11 signed contracts but depends on federal awards for some projects; roughly $30 million in non-contracted funds could revert to the general fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oregon Film reports growth in production and tourism; incentives provide ~25% rebate for qualifying projects

Business Oregon staff outline plan to create Oregon Arts and Culture Development Office under bill to merge arts boards

Business Oregon says certification processing times improved to ~60 days; outreach and capacity remain priorities

Business Oregon outlines lending programs, SSBCI and Oregon Inc. support for startups and manufacturers

Business Oregon details $240 million semiconductor program, warns some funds may revert if federal matches fail