St. Helens Business Advantages

Since its founding, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurialism has inspired amazing achievements in St. Helens. Once known as the "paycheck" city for vast businesses in logging and other industrial businesses, the City is now transitioning into the future and continue to attract creative artists, entrepreneurs, academics and beer makers. We've still got plenty of room for you and your dreams and ambitions.

This is the ideal city for small family businesses. In St. Helens you can make your mark much easier than in a big, impersonal city. Here you can more easily know your neighbors, play an active role in the community and open doors that might be shut in a big city. Here are some of the reasons why we are so successful at helping people reach their dreams.

Accessibility. Downtown Portland is a about a half hour away and your entire drive is along Hwy 30. We are easily connected to the surrounding region, including the Portland metropolitan area - population 2 million and growing. Portland International Airport is only 33 miles away and Hillsboro, Oregon's second largest airport is only 26 miles away.

Expanding Population and Workforce. Our growth rate exceeds that of the state and surrounding region, and our businesses have access to a growing, well-educated and highly skilled local and regional workforce.

Available land. We ave vacant acreage and buildings suitable for a variety of businesses, from large manufacturing firms to small service businesses. Some of these properties are eligible for property tax exemptions through an Enterprise Zone and additional benefits may be possible through the City's Opportunity Zone benefits as well.

Low-cost energy. We offer some of the lowest costs for electricity in the Portland metro area without sacrificing reliability. Our power for the city is managed through Columbia River Public Utility District.

Pro-business environment. We offer the services and incentives you need to establish a successful business, including a smooth City approval process. City of St. Helens government officials are helpful and supportive, and want to see your business thrive.

A growing market. The Portland Metro area has a population of 2 million. The City of St. Helens is growing vastly with residents and businesses finding their way into Columbia County.

Community Support. Residents are supportive of the City's balanced growth strategy and the city is renowned for the strong sense of collaboration between businesses and the support that they lend each other. Our strong sense of community pride is on show throughout the year when our city comes alive with tourism events like Halloweentown, 4th of July, 13 Nights on the River, Christmas Ships on the Columbia River, and many other events that are held throughout the year. 

Enviable lifestyle. The Pacific Northwest lifestyle is legendary and we are fortunate to have some of the best of it right in St. Helens. Beside the feel of our historic district, you'll find affordable housing, excellent schools, low crime, forests, lakes, and scenic golf courses providing a backdrop for an idyllic lifestyle. Then there is Portland, Beaverton, and Hillsboro that are just a short drive away for that big-town feel.