News in the CorridorMay 2008
PDF version of this newsletter.
Portland’s Transportation Economy
Eric Fruits, President of Economics International and adjunct professor at PSU, will discuss the pros and cons of our transportation-based economy. Despite the fact that economists are notorious for avoiding predictions, we’ll investigate Portland’s future in the world freight economy. Is this a good thing for Portlanders or will it lead to a lower quality of life? More information and registration...
Wednesday, May 28th
7:30 am – 9:00 am
Columbia River Crossing Approaches Milestone
The locally preferred option for the Columbia River Crossing project will be decided in the coming months. The steering team will vote on the project, but some members of the team will get direction from the councils they sit on: Portland City Council and Metro Council. Now is the time to contact your council members with your opinion about the project.
If the project moves forward, light rail will come to Vancouver, unsafe interchanges will be replaced and a safer and cleaner bridge will be built. For more information on the hearing dates or on the project alternatives, contact Corky at 503.287.8686 or visit www.columbiarivercrossing.org.
CCA Golf Classic
Sponsored by The Boeing Company
The 17th Annual CCA Golf Classic Scramble will be Monday, September 15th at the Riverside Golf & Country Club. Go ahead and pencil it on your calendar.
- Mark the date on your calendar.
- Become a sponsor. Sign up now and get the advantage of 3 months of promotions on all tournament literature.
- Become a member of the organizing committee. We have a job for people of all capabilities. You don't need to be a golfer to get in on the fun!
Regional Economic Summit
The June 4th Summit will highlight the Greater Portland Prosperity Index and the Regional Business Plan, 2008 Update. Past plans can be found at http://regionalbusinessplan.com/.
The event will be June 4 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Portland Art Museum. To register, please go to: www.regonline.com/greaterportland.
ConnectOregon II Projects Selected
With $100 million to be distributed to the best intermodal transportation proposals in the state, ConnectOregon II garnered its share of attention. If the Oregon Transportation Commission adopts the final project list on June 19th, the Portland area will see $47 million worth of construction.
CCA was a member of the Region I selection committee. Seven projects worth a total of $37 million dollars will occur directly in the Columbia Corridor. Since the Corridor is the largest economic corridor in Oregon and the location of two intercontinental railroads, a major west coast port, an international airport and two interstate highways, it’s fair to say the benefits will be felt across the state.
The Final Recommendation Report…
Welcome New and Renewing Members!
First Independent Bank
City of Fairview
Calbag Metals
GeoDesign
IPD Company, Inc.
Jack Fazio
The Halton Company
Three Oaks Development
Waste Management
Cycle the Wellfield
The Columbia Corridor is home to the Portland Wellfield—a series of drinking water wells that form the backup water supply for Portland.
Join us for a 16 mile bicycle tour of the Wellfield on June 14th. It’s free but registration is required. More…
Insurance Changes for Businesses with 25-50 Employees
Small employers in Oregon may see a change in their health insurance costs this spring. While increases in health insurance rates generally reflect the overall rise in health care costs, some employers may see additional changes this year because of a new law that affects how the state regulates their insurance rates.
House Bill 2002, which took effect January 1, 2008, expands small employer health insurance rate regulation. This change makes state and federal regulation of the small group market consistent and is intended in the long run to help insurance rates remain stable and affordable for all small employers. More…
University of Oregon Economic Index
The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators™ dropped sharply in March, falling 0.7 percent to 101.9 (1997=100). The UO Index declined at an annualized 2.1 percent rate over the past six months, indicating a period of slow economic activity with a significant chance of tipping into an actual recession. Confirmation of a recession requires a substantial worsening of the Oregon labor market in the months ahead. Full pdf report…
Metro Gets an A-Minus in Finance
An audit of the Metro regional government revealed strong financial management over the past 10 years. Debt is being paid down, which has led to lower property taxes in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties. “The finance and administrative offices have been fairly conservative and careful. They’re not spending down to the bottom line every year,” Metro auditor Suzanne Flynn said. Maintaining fund balances helps cushion difficult economic periods. About the only area for improvement is in revenue forecasting, primarily due to grant requests that did not materialize.
For more information on Metro, visit them at their new web address: www.oregonmetro.gov. If you have Metro employees in your address book, note that their email addresses have changed to the new format: firstname.lastname@oregonmetro.gov.
Great Blue Heron Week
A week of events celebrating parks, trails, and a beautiful bird. More…
May 28: CCA Breakfast Forum—Portland’s Transportation Economy
September 15th: CCA’s 17th Annual Golf Classic Scramble
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PO Box 55651
Portland, OR 97238
503.287.8686
