A bit about me.

"The way we are, we are members of each other. All of us. Everything.

The difference ain't in who is a member and who is not, but in who knows it and who don't.”

Burley Coulter in Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

For 25 years I've been bringing communities together to make them stronger. Running Community Development Departments for the cities of Tigard and Milwaukie, and working on community investment initiatives for the City of Portland in the 2000’s and 2020’s, I’ve seen how small businesses are the lifeblood of healthy cities and neighborhoods

Like our local food system, Portland-area businesses exist in a rich soil of amazing people and creative talent.

My goal with HERE is to make that soil even richer. When business projects are contracted to our smallest local enterprises, we keep dollars circulating in our regional economy, we sustain the livelihoods of our friends and kids, we build community resilience, and we have more fun creating with people we actually know.

I’ve worked in construction, television and local government. I’ve produced Emmy award-winning features, written a Wendell Berry blog for eight years, and helped create public plazas, walkable streets, and affordable housing all around Portland.

I’m still doing what I’ve always done: connecting people with purpose, possibility and the practice of community.

We all share this place; let’s keep investing in each other.

Always Here,

Kenny Asher, Founder/Owner