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MacRitchie named Interim Executive Director of new private economic development corporation
Andy MacRitchie, former Executive Vice President of Strategy, Regulation and External Affairs at PacifiCorp, has been named Interim Executive Director of a new private economic development corporation dedicated to traded sector marketing
and business recruitment in the Greater Portland region.
As one of the strategies outlined in the Regional Business Plan, MacRitchie will lead the creation of a new economic development corporation that will coordinate closely and work collaboratively with the public and private sector economic
development professionals across the Portland metropolitan region. Some of its first initiatives will be undertaking a regional fundraising campaign and researching best practices in regional economic development from other regions across
the country. The corporation will also begin planning and implementing a communications strategy that will include a national and international marketing program promoting the region as a great place for business.
"This effort is significant because it will be the first time in many years that the business community has come together to provide funding and support for a broad based economic development program," said MacRitchie. "In the past, we
have relied solely on government activity. Public organizations do a good job and will continue to provide the same services, but our sales and marketing to potential national and international investors in our region will be significantly
augmented by the coordinated involvement of the business community under this new corporation."
Executive Director of Select Greater Philadelphia meets local leaders regarding private economic development corporation merits
Tom Morr, Executive Director of Select Greater Philadelphia, met with local business executives in September to discuss the need for a regional marketing and business recruitment campaign in Portland. Select Greater Philadelphia is the
private sector organization that seeks to recruit businesses and jobs to Philadelphia; Morr is recognized as a national expert on such issues. Select Greater Philadelphia works across an 11-county and three-state region on behalf of the
Philadelphia regional economy. Morr expressed the need for business leaders to get active in business recruitment.
Trade and Transportation issues highlighted for Congress
The Pacific Northwest International Trade Association (PNITA) and the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) hosted 10 staff from the Oregon and Washington congressional delegations in a day-long tour of regional businesses to
highlight the importance of trade to the region. The program focused on the region's reliance on exports to support a strong job base and the need for public policy to support freight capacity and reliable regional rail service.
In Oregon, one in four jobs can be directly linked to international trade; in Washington, the ratio is one in three. The Pacific Northwest is reliant on a vibrant economic relationship with markets around the world. In 2004, 4,784 Oregon
businesses exported goods to 183 foreign destinations; 87 percent of those businesses employed fewer than 500 people. Jobs that support the export of goods abroad also pay salaries 46 percent more than the state average.
The delegation toured the Port of Portland and the Port of Vancouver, as well as Columbia Sportswear's distribution center, Precision Castparts Corp. and Northwest Container Services. The tour provided an opportunity for PNITA and PNWA to
highlight the importance of an efficient multimodal transportation system that allows for the flow of goods in and out of the Portland/Vancouver region.
Senators Wyden and Smith secure funding in Defense Bill
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith announced that the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved millions of dollars in funding for defense-related projects in Oregon, including significant funding for a number of Oregon
nanotechnology projects through the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI).
In addition, the Committee set aside $2.6 million to help grow Oregon's manufacturing base. The cash is the first big success for two groups -- the Manufacturing 21 Coalition and the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition -- that joined
together to advocate for Oregon manufacturers.
Oregon and Washington's congressional delegations partnered successfully to secure dollars to help the region's small manufacturers boost productivity, sales, investment in modernization and employment.
"Funding for Oregon's new nanotechnology research center, as well as numerous other nanotech projects, demonstrates that our state is truly a leader in this growing field," Wyden said. "The targeted investments we're making in basic
research and innovative projects will provide a significant boost to Oregon's economy and further develop technologies that have important applications in saving lives, for our national defense, and for civilian use."
"Oregon businesses are producing technologies that will help protect our soldiers and fortify our security at home," Smith said. "Many of the projects have applications beyond the battlefield. The investments we are making today will pay
off in other areas tomorrow, such as using wave energy to create electricity. This investment also sustains jobs ensuring Oregon's economy continues to grow."
The funds are included in the FY 2007 Defense spending bill, which must now be approved by the full senate.
Portland Harbor's industrial sanctuary remains intact
In a strong show of support for the economy, the Portland City Council voted to reaffirm the industrial sanctuary designation on the Linnton Waterfront, rejecting a proposal to convert the prime waterfront site to a mixed-use area with
residential housing. The Regional Business Plan calls for strengthening industrial sanctuaries, particularly in areas where location or transportation features are irreplaceable, such as the Portland Harbor.
The Linnton Waterfront site is strategically located in the Portland Harbor with marine access, immediately adjacent to an active rail line, two petroleum tank farms, and the terminus of the Olympic Pipeline providing 90 percent of the
fuel for the entire state of Oregon. The Council's vote to preserve this prime industrial land will strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the Portland Harbor as an international gateway to the global marketplace and bring more
companies and living wage jobs to the region.
Portland Community College provides training solutions for business
Established by Portland Community College (PCC) in June 2005, the Center for Business and Industry (CBI) works with a kitchen cabinet of business and industry leaders to provide education, training and workforce development programs to
deliver a regional workforce system for employers, workers and students.
The CBI provides a single entry point for businesses and connects businesses with specialists who provide organizational analysis, strategies for improvement, comprehensive quality initiatives, job profiling, pre-employment and skills
assessment, training, and professional development for current and prospective employees. Programs through CBI include customized and workplace training, which allows businesses to design programs to meet the needs of their
organization.
Contact CBI at 503.731.6888 or
cbi@pcc.edu to discuss tailoring solutions to the needs of your business. Additional information found at
www.pcc.edu/cbi.
Big Look Survey results available online
The results from a statewide survey conducted for the Oregon Task Force on Land Use Planning are now available online. The Task Force is charged with completing a comprehensive review of Oregon's land use planning program and drafting
recommendations to submit to the 2009 Legislative Assembly. To help accomplish this task, the survey was designed to help identify major land use issues that the Task Force should study and issues of importance to Oregonians.
To review the survey results, click
here.
The Task Force has created six key land use issues that require further evaluation (bullets listed). Small workgroups of the Task Force are charged with investigating each of the following issues and will identify more specific issues,
options and tradeoffs by the end of the year:
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What are the appropriate roles of state and local governments in land use in Oregon?
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What is the appropriate role of citizen involvement in land use?
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What role should land use planning play in enhancing Oregon's economy now and in the future?
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What are the most effective tools to manage population growth to achieve community goals?
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How should Oregon's system of infrastructure, finance and governance influence land use?
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How can the land use process appropriately address the benefits and burdens that fall on individual land owners and the general public?
Portland will host the 2007 Global Conference on Competitiveness
By JONATHAN BRINCKMAN
The Oregonian
The Competitive Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Barcelona, Spain, has selected Portland for its 2007 Global Conference on Competitiveness, the governors of Oregon and Washington announced Thursday.
The decision is important because the Competitive Institute focuses on developing clusters of industries, and the Portland area is seeking to develop clusters, including high-tech, sports apparel and craft breweries.
"For Portland to be chosen, it really puts us on the international map," said Tricia Ryan, senior economic development manager for the Portland Development Commission. "It says we are being acknowledged by the international community for
our cluster development."
The five-day conference, to be co-chaired by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department and the Portland Development Commission, will include an academic summit, industry cluster tours and a gala dinner. Sponsors expect 500
to 600 attendees from around the world. Dates are Oct. 7 through Oct. 14, 2007.
To read more, click
here.
To read the proposal for the conference, click
here.
The Oregon Innovation Council presents Innovation Plan
The Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC) presented the state Innovation Plan and urged Governor Kulongoski and state legislators to adopt a $40 million economic stimulus package to be invested by 2009. The Council's "roadmap" is designed
to create business and employment opportunities throughout the state.
The package supports growth strategies embraced by innovation-driven industries, such as food processing, manufacturing, alternative energy and key industrial research centers.
David Chen of OVP Venture Partners and Chair of the Oregon Innovation Council, sits on the Oregon Business Plan Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will review the Innovation Plan and intends to include its recommendations in the
Oregon Business Plan.
The Plan's Executive Summary can be viewed at the
Oregon InC website.
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