Airport Radisson converts Pool into Conference Room
27 April--How do you add 1400 square feet of conference room? Drain the pool and add WiFi. The folks at the Radisson Portland Airport went to a bit more trouble than that. The result is great meeting space, close to PDX. Join us at the CCA May 26th Breakfast Forum to see the new space. Or go to www.radissonpdx.com.
Oregon Freight Investment Survey
15 April--Your assistance is requested as part of a Multimodal Freight Investment Criteria research project funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and conducted by Oregon State University (OSU). A 10-minute survey (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/multimodal-freight-investment) has been developed to assess stakeholder needs and issues related to freight transportation. The information gathered from this survey is confidential, and will be used to help analyze multimodal freight investment criteria. Changes to freight investments are outside the purview of this research project, however the knowledge you give us will help inform decision-makers. If you have any questions about the survey or research project please contact Amanda Pietz at the ODOT Research Section (amanda.pietz@odot.state.or.us).
Groundwater Protection Program gets Updates
12 April--For six years, CCA has worked closely with the cities of Portland, Gresham and Fairview to protect our wellfield underneath the Columbia Corridor. The Groundwater Protection Program has won an award for innovation and been an example of effective protection that doesn't overly burden businesses. In an effort to resolve a few issues that have popped up over the years, the Reference Manual is getting an update for 2010. Join us for a free lunchtime workshop to review the updated manual. Or attend the public hearing scheduled for May 25th.
More info on the April 29th Lunch Workshop
More info on the May 25th Public Hearing
University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators
7 April--The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators jumped 0.3% in February. The pace of improvement moderated compared to gains reported for the previous five months. Still, the recovery remains intact, with the six month annualized increase rising to 11.7 percent.
Marine Drive Safety Corridor
8 April--If you're wondering what's going on with the Marine Drive Safety Corridor signs, you have good reason. After being made aware of missing Safety Corridor signs on Marine Drive, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) began to replace them. But then the City Attorney directed PBOT to remove them because the safety corridor has not been officially approved by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). It turns out that some drivers cited with doubled fines (due to the safety corridor) have not been happy.
To sum up: it was, then it sort of wasn't, then it started to be again, and now it's not but could be in the future.
Concordia University's 16th Annual CEO Roundtable Informs Managers and Benefits Students
20 March--The Concordia CEO Roundtable is a scholarship fundraiser for disadvantaged, but highly deserving students in North / NE Portland. On April 20th, three chief executive officers will join together in an unprecedented and powerful meeting of the minds at Concordia University’s 16th Annual CEO Roundtable Luncheon. This lively roundtable discussion will provide a special opportunity for a select group of corporate visionaries to engage with their peers in a truly candid and reciprocal environment. This event will highlight the successes and challenges of these leaders and their companies as they relate to Civic Leadership & Social Entrepreneurship and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Business Journal Reports on Portland's Young Professionals
19 March--In 2004, the Westside Economic Alliance and Portland Development Commission reported on "The Young and the Restless," which explained why Portland had become the fourth-fastest growing metropolitan area in the country for young, college-educated adults, ages 25-35 (also known as your best talent pool for employees). In 2009, the Wall Street Journal ran a front page article on the phenomena. Read the Wall Street Journal article... Now the Portland Business Journal has some updated information which doesn't paint such a rosy picture. Read Friday's article...
UofO Portland Metro Business Index
9 March--The University of Oregon Portland Metro Business Index (PMBI) rose 1.8% percent in the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in the PMBI is a welcome development after the ten quarters of consecutive decline that began in 2007. The improvement is consistent with firming economic activity on both state and national levels as the recession drew to a close in the middle of 2009.
Business Portland Takes Shape as a New Resource
10 March--The City of Portland has created a website and handbook for businesses. Whether you're creating a new business venture or looking for resources to help your exisitng business, there's useful information.
PDF file of the Portland Business Handbook
WorkSource Oregon Economic Indicators for Portland Metro--Decade in Review
5 March--It's been a very unusual ten years for the regional economy, a good time to look at how the economy has performed. The report graphs tell an interesting story.
Portland Main Street Program
25 January--Your community may qualify for grants and technical assistance to help revitalize your neighborhood business district using the national Main Street Program, which currently operates in 1800 communities across the nation. Through a competitive selection process, four commercial districts, located outside urban renewal areas, will be chosen to participate in Portland’s new Main Street Program. To qualify, at least two representatives must attend on of the workshops on February 2nd and 3rd.
How Does Portland's Economy Compare to Other Cities?
21 December 09--With a few exceptions, the picture is not very pretty. University of Oregon Professor Tim Duy spoke at the Westside Economic Alliance to present a report funded in part by the Port of Portland. Much of the initial data was devoted to the anticipated slow recovery. But the more interesting data compared Portland to other cities.
Compared to Seattle, Denver, Austin and Minneapolis, we have the highest percentage of residents that have gone to college, but the lowest that graduated. Our average income is lower and the growth is flatter. To add insult to injury, except for Seattle, the other cities have a lower cost of living. We love our light rail, but Seattle has higher public transport use and lower percentage of lone car commuters. Our tax climate is favorable and we have a creative class, but until we address what makes our region attractive to firms, our wages will remain low and our sustainability results will remain average.
For a pdf of Professor Duy's presentation...
City of Portland Year in Review and Legislative Report for 2009
18 December 09--If you're wondering what the City has been doing, there are two reports recently published. The Legislative Report summarizes the City's interaction with the Oregon Legislature, with a summary of each bill and some insight into the affects on Portland. There's also the Mayor's Year in Review, a close look at a difficult year.
The Legislative Report in pdf...
Mayor Adam's Year in Review...
Ten-Year Economic Trends in Oregon
24 November 09-- Predicting the future of the economy is always a difficult task. Predicting the future of an economy during times of rapid change, like a recession, is especially challenging. Every two years, Oregon Employment Department economists take on this challenge and create 10-year industry employment forecasts. They examined historical trends and other people's forecasts to help project Oregon's employment changes between 2008 and 2018. These forecasts are used in conjunction with occupational forecasts to help students decide on careers, schools decide on training programs, businesses decide on strategic plans, and governments decide on budgets and services. Two broad categories that are expected to lead Oregon's recovery are health services and transportation trade.
North Vancouver Ave Bridge Over the Columbia Slough to be Rebuilt
18 November 09--The Portland City Council is voting today to approve a new bridge for N Vancouver Ave, over the Columbia Slough. A couple of years ago, the bridge was weight restricted and being evaluated for an upgrade. During that period, a fire burned some of the bridge's wood pylons, requiring a complete shutdown of the bridge. CCA has worked hard to secure funding through the Oregon Department of Transportation. But the construction will have to wait until next summer, when impact on migrating salmon is minimal. (Yes, we have juvenile salmon resting in the Slough before continuing their trek to the coast--it's hard work dodging those sea lions.)
Welcome New and Renewing Members!
City of Roses Disposal & Recycling Bluestone & Hockley Marriott North Harbor CB Richard Ellis Columbia Steel Casting Arclin Surfaces Inc. Metro Metals Oregon Transfer Co. Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel Skyport The Bookin Group Oregon Humane Society Owens Brockway PacTrust Parkrose School District PGE Portland Habilitation Center, Inc. The PPI Group Riverside Golf & Country Club American Red Cross JR Simplot Co. Market Transport LTD Miller Paint Co. Norris & Stevens Providence Medical Center City of Gresham
April 28th: CCA's Annual Real Estate Trends & Forecasts Breakfast Forum
April 29th: Groundwater Protection Program Workshop
July 13th: ResourceFull Use Workshop
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Portland, OR 97238
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