FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2023
Black Business Association of Oregon Announces Alaska Airlines is Their Official Airline Partner for Black Business Recruiting
Portland, Ore.: The Black Business Association of Oregon is pleased to announce Alaska Airlines as its official airline partner to help recruit Black-owned businesses to Oregon.
The BBAO will reach out to CEOs and Presidents nationwide to encourage them to visit Oregon and consider the state as a place to relocate or expand their operations. Alaska Airlines will provide air travel for business prospects looking to establish a presence in Oregon.
“In addition to our efforts to retain and grow Black-owned businesses in the state, the BBAO also works to encourage Black businesses from around the country to consider relocating or expanding their operations in Oregon,” says Lance Randall, Executive Director of the BBAO. “We are currently working with two Black-owned businesses, one from Florida and one from Ohio, that have committed to set up their operations in the state.”
The BBAO works to recruit Black-owned businesses to Oregon by targeting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across the country and enticing them to invest, start-up, or expand their businesses in Oregon, providing accurate, up-to-date, and credible demographic information about investing, relocating, or expanding their operations in Oregon.
“As more states increase their assault on individuals’ basic rights, businesses are looking to relocate to states more conducive to equity,” says Randall. ”Many initiatives are underway, and investments are being made to uplift Black-owned businesses and Black communities across the state. Because of that, we are getting many inquiries from Black-owned companies nationwide. We are doing our part to market the state to Black-owned businesses, and this partnership with Alaska Airlines is a key component of our recruiting efforts.”
Serving as the main point of contact and host for prospects that visit Oregon looking to relocate or expand, the BBAO will identify potential sites and work with the state, county, and municipal governments to develop tax incentive packages for Black prospects looking to make investments or create jobs in Oregon.
“Alaska Airlines is proud to partner with the Black Business Association of Oregon and contribute to the organization’s efforts to create more opportunities for Black businesses,” says Harry Cheema, Public Affairs Manager for Alaska Airlines. “Building economic equity requires intentional prioritization and collaboration, and Alaska knows it will take all of us to ensure Portland’s growth is equitable. We’re proud to have served the people of Portland for decades, and we look forward to working hand in hand with the BBAO in creating economically vibrant communities where people feel welcome and represented.”
Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. We strive to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program. As a member of the oneworldalliance, and with our additional global partners, our guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 25 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.
About Black Business Association of Oregon: The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) is an economic development organization striving to achieve economic equity that is sustainable and lasting for Black-owned businesses in Oregon. For more information, visit https://bbaoregon.org/.
BBA-Oregon
2027 Lloyd Center
Portland, Oregon 97232
###
Media Contact:
Sommer Martin, Communications Director
Black Business Association of Oregon
Sommer@bbaoregon.org
Office: (503)770-0016