OBI was founded in 2017 with the merger of Oregon’s two most significant statewide business organizations, Associated Oregon Industries and the Oregon Business Association. The result is Oregon’s largest and most effective statewide business advocacy group.
OBI strives to strengthen Oregon’s economy in order to achieve a healthy, prosperous and competitive state for the benefit of present and future generations. A strong private sector is necessary to ensure that all Oregonians have access to good jobs that support thriving families. A strong private sector is also necessary to generate adequate funding for critical public services such as schools, transportation, and public safety. OBI values equity and support efforts to end historic injustices.
Based in Salem, OBI has more than 1,600 members in every region of Oregon. They include both small and large businesses, represent virtually every industry and sector, and employ more than 250,000 Oregonians. These businesses come together as Oregon Business & Industry because they are committed to building a stronger Oregon.
Our organization is recognized statewide as a leader in policy development, and our team works tirelessly to ensure our members’ voices are heard in policy discussions that will affect their businesses. We also create opportunities for members to meet each other, to grow their businesses, and to learn about policy developments important to their Oregon operations.
OBI builds upon a long and successful history as the voice for business in our state. Associated Oregon Industries (AOI) was founded in Salem in 1895 and grew to become the most influential business organization in the state. AOI worked on the belief that free market principles, predictable regulations, and efficient use of tax dollars would allow Oregon’s economy to thrive. The Oregon Business Association (OBA) was founded in Portland in 2000 as a nonpartisan voice for business committed to collaboration and problem-solving. The core beliefs of those two organizations remain guideposts for OBI’s work today.