Columbia Sportswear announced that it will relocate its Sorel footwear brand headquarters and 45 employees to downtown Portland, Ore. Sorel will relocate from Columbia Sportswear’s global headquarters located outside in the city in unincorporated Washington County. The move is expected be completed by May 2017.
No word as of yet about Columbia returning it headquarters to Portland. Columbia Sportswear moved its headquarters away from the city of Portland to its current location in 2001, a year after it acquired in the Sorel. City officials reportedly have been attempting to lure the company back. At a joint press conference with Portland Mayor-Elect Ted Wheeler, Columbia CEO Tim Boyle pointed out that company already has a significant employee presence in the city, at its stores and a local distribution center.
The Portland Development Commission will provide up to $50,000 in assistance to Sorel for tenant improvements.
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