Committee hears bill to create unified Oregon trade strategy, seeks $3.2 million for Business Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. — The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade on Feb. 26 held a public hearing on House Bill 3100, which would appropriate $3,200,000 to the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) to develop a unified state trade strategy and related programs.

The measure directs Business Oregon to collaborate with the Port of Portland, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Travel Oregon and other stakeholders to contract in‑market experts, support inbound and outbound trade missions, expand promotion of Oregon exports and provide technical assistance to businesses affected by foreign tariffs. The bill declares an emergency and would take effect on passage.

Representative Daniel Winn, who introduced the bill, told the committee Oregon’s traded sectors support jobs across the state. "Oregon exports of manufactured products supported an estimated 81,000 jobs in 2021 and a total of 5,530 companies exported from Oregon locations in 2022, of which 88% were small…