The City and the State offer some business incentive programs and there are also a range of assistance programs to help local businesses thrive.
LOCAL AND STATE INCENTIVES:The City of North Plains offers various programs including:

• North Plains welcomes new businesses and does not charge for the first year of a business license.
• The City also offers financing of City-imposed System Development Charges (SDCs)s to spread costs over several years if applicable. System Development Charges function much like Impact Fees in other states by funding expansion of critical infrastructure to serve new growth.
• Based on input from North Plains residents, the City is working to support an expanded food and beverage sector in our community and has a New Food & Beverage Business Tenant Improvement Grant Program.
• North Plains participates in the State's E-commerce Zone Program. A qualifying North Plains business's new equipment investment may be eligible for property tax abatements.

The State of Oregon Strategic Investment Program (SIP) exempts a portion of large capital investments from property taxes. The program is available statewide for projects developed by "traded-sector" businesses, most often used for manufacturing firms. "Traded sector" is defined in Oregon law as "industries in which member firms sell their goods or services into markets for which national or international competition exists."

Depending on the investment size, the Strategic Investment Program can offer exceptional benefits in terms of net present value.
LOCAL AND STATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:North Plains Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber promotes business prosperity and a healthy community by providing information, services, and advocacy for its members. Membership to the Chamber provides essential opportunities for business promotion and networking, in addition to special support for entrepreneurs and home-based businesses. For more information on the services available through the Chamber and how to become a member, please visit their website at https://northplainschamber.org/.

Workforce Alliance

The Workforce Alliance, a group of public Washington County employment and training organizations, provides customized recruitment, training, retention, and outplacement services to meet business needs. They offer businesses a single point of access to a wide variety of employment services. For information, contact the Workforce Alliance at (503) 533–2946 or www.workforceallianceonline.org.

Business Oregon

Business Oregon is the state's economic development agency that focuses on investing in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy. Business Oregon offers a variety of loan programs and services to assist businesses. Visit https://www.oregon.gov/biz/ for more information.

MercyCorpNW

MercyCorpNW offers microloans from $500-$20,000. They also offer up to $50,000 for first-year operation. The programs are designed to help economically disadvantaged persons. Additionally, MercyCorpsNW offers business finance and operations training to persons who are interested in starting a new business.

Small Business Development Centers

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) 20 Oregon Biz Centers are located throughout Oregon and provide a variety of services to help small businesses, including:

• Small Business Workshops: provide information on getting started, financing, marketing, general management, developing a business plan, accounting, and record-keeping.
• Business Advice: free, confidential counseling to small/start-up businesses.
• Library and Resource Center: contains over 300 business start-up guides, resource material, and forms. 
• Specialized Training, including Contractors Management Series – covers educational requirements for registration or renewal of a contractor's license. 

For more information, please contact 503–978–5080 or http://www.bizcenter.org/portland

Small Business International Trade Center (SBITC) has experienced professional staff who provide comprehensive services and resources to assist businesses in all aspects of international trade. Some of the services and resources that SBITC provides include:

• Seminars: Covering topics such as international trade basics to courses on the major activities, disciplines, and functions of exporting.
• International Business Management Program: A certificate program designed to provide greater awareness and practical knowledge of how to succeed in international business.
• Counseling: One–on–one assistance to businesses on the techniques, procedures, and strategies of international trade.
• Market Research Assistance: Education about the export markets and trade practices of foreign countries and assistance in the development of distribution contacts. Contact the Small Business International Trade Center at 503–274–7482.

Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs

Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) OAME is a non–profit organization promoting and developing entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the state of Oregon. Services include: technical assistance, access to capital, matching capability with opportunity, administrative services, and information and networking. For more information, please contact OAME at 503–249–7744 or http://www.oame.org.