The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade convened on March 19, 2025, to discuss critical issues affecting Oregon's small businesses and the semiconductor industry. The meeting highlighted the importance of state support for innovative companies and the potential economic impact of legislative actions.

One of the key testimonies came from a representative of Kairos, a company focused on advanced medical imaging technology. The speaker emphasized that despite being one of the 13 companies not currently supported by the Oregon CHIPS Act, Kairos has made significant strides in developing groundbreaking technology for early disease detection, including cancer. They noted that a modest $50,000 matching fund from Business Oregon was instrumental in securing a U.S. patent for their sensitive x-ray detector, which has garnered federal recognition through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award. The speaker urged the committee to approve House Bill 2277, which would provide additional funding to Business Oregon, thereby enabling small businesses like Kairos to thrive and contribute to Oregon's economy through job creation and tax revenue.

Following this, Mark Blythe, Chief Marketing Officer of Kokusai Electric, shared insights on the semiconductor equipment manufacturing sector. He indicated that the potential for Oregon CHIPS funding has influenced the company's decision to establish a development center in Hillsboro. Blythe highlighted the dual considerations of business viability and fiduciary responsibility to shareholders in site selection, underscoring the importance of state-level investments in attracting and retaining high-tech companies.

The discussions underscored the critical role that small businesses and innovative technologies play in strengthening Oregon's economy, particularly in the semiconductor supply chain. The committee's deliberations on House Bill 2277 could have significant implications for the future of these industries in the state. The meeting concluded with a call for continued support for small businesses to foster economic growth and technological advancement in Oregon.