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Help Start Businesses!!

Having been an entrepreneur and businessman for most of my adult working life, I believe in the hard working private sector. Perhaps a string of grants in the amount of $50,000 or more for well researched, creative entrepreneurs looking to start new businesses or expand their current business could help stimulate our economy in Oregon!

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    anonymousanonymous shared this idea  ·   ·  Flag idea as inappropriate…  ·  Admin →

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      • Steve BucksteinSteve Buckstein commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        While helping to start businesses is a good idea, it may not be the best use of this $1 million. Perhaps better to leverage the funds by using them to help remove government-imposed impediments to starting and nurturing businesses. Start a few businesses, or remove impediments thus allowing dozens, hundreds or thousands of businesses to get an easier start. Think leverage.

      • Astrid ScholzAstrid Scholz commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        I like the gist of this idea, but would start earlier in the enterprise chain: there are lots of farmers, ranchers, fishermen and others working (or now unemployed) in Oregon's primary/resource industries that could be the leading innovators of the future. Many of these folks could benefit from capacity grants for noodling through their idea, writing business plans, and networking in the investment and policy communities to get their ideas off the ground. That "starter dough" is the hardest money to find!

      • Jean SprakerJean Spraker commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        If jobs are the #1 need in Oregon, the how about funding jobs that give twice, such as positions in nonprofits. I can think of at least 10 fulltime jobs needing to be done at the little nonprofit in urban Portland where I serve on the board.

      • Allanya GuentherAllanya Guenther commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        Jobs are the #1 need in Oregon, impacting tax and nonprofit revenues, as well as housing stability and economic self-sufficiency.

        I think this is a good idea, but I would raise the threshold to $100,000 or more and base it on a minimum hire of at least 5 people, and projected self-sufficiency and employee sustainability within 2 years.

      Million Dollar Ideas: Economic Development

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      Guidelines for Posting Ideas

      Oregon was once known as a place where new, creative thinking flourished and people weren’t afraid to face hard truths and take bold steps. But lately Oregon conversations are full of pessimism and cynicism. We all know Oregon is in a world of hurt. We’ve grown accustomed to hearing what’s wrong here.

      Meyer Memorial Trust wants to help change the tone of the conversations and jumpstart action that again makes our state a place where ideas begin and grow. But we need your help. Tell us what you think is the most pressing issue facing Oregon that an investment of up to $1 million from MMT could provide meaningful support and leverage over the next two years. Give us your best ideas about the form that support and leverage might take.

      This is not a time for faint hearted suggestions. We're looking for bold and innovative approaches. And while the nonprofit sector is proving itself to be resilient, innovative and inspired in these times, we need to move beyond categorical thinking and invite all sectors to work together to address the issues we face before it's too late. This is not the place for an organization to make a pitch for funds on its own behalf. We’re looking for ideas that rise above individual organizations and constituencies.

      Asking for public input in this kind of forum is new for us. Frankly, we don’t quite know what to expect. But we have faith that Oregonians will take this process seriously and contribute their best thinking. We believe Oregonians are ready to reengage and stay engaged and work together to find solutions. But awarding the million dollars depends on the quality of ideas—if we don’t have sufficient participation or we don’t find a good match with MMT’s mission and values, we reserve the right to find another route to helping create a better future for Oregon.

      We are confident Oregonians won’t let us down. We expect lively—but civil—discussions. We desire innovative, entrepreneurial ideas…the kind Fred Meyer might have had.

      Thank you for jumpstarting a better future for Oregon by submitting your million dollar idea below and/or commenting on ideas already suggested.