PORTLAND, OR—Portland's growing reputation as a major business center is supported by study after study ranking the city among the top ten nationwide in tech company growth, liveability, appeal to a millennial workforce and a host of other benchmarks. This according to a recent statement from JLL in a statement spotlighting a lease deal it forged for a creative agency client.

Portland has led all metropolitan areas in gross domestic product (GDP) growth since the 2007 recession (22.8%). Its net population increase of workers aged 25-34 is also among the highest in the nation, which is attracting outside companies to set up operations and prompting more home grown companies to expand, JLL says.

One area of particularly strong growth within the city's business sector is in the creative sector. Significantly, a host of new and established firms focused on digital media and marketing for global and regional brands have hit critical mass, inviting more like-minded businesses to set up shop. Yet the success of the sector is also causing headaches for agencies as they plan future expansion in a hot real estate market. Just last week, JLL represented Portland-based creative agency Swift in signing a long-term lease for 29,933 square feet of office space at 1638 NW Overton on the northwestern edge of the Pearl District.