Oregon's unemployment rates slip to three year lows
January 27, 2012
The heavy rains and flooding that have inundated large areas of western Oregon in the past week also flooded the offices of WorkSource Oregon in Salem, delaying the employment department’s latest employment estimates for the month of December. But when floodwaters finally receded, several bits of good news emerged.
In December, the state’s unemployment rate slipped to 8.9 percent, the lowest levels in three years. This means 177,918 Oregonians were still looking for work last month compared to 231,821 who were unable to work in June 2009 when unemployment in Oregon spiked at 11.6 percent.
The private sector in the Portland metropolitan region is leading the state’s economic recovery with nearly 17,000 jobs added to the payroll between 2010 and 2011, while government employment fell in all three counties by a total of 1,700 jobs. Of the 17,800 jobs created statewide in the past year, 85 percent have been concentrated in Clackamas County (+1,000), Multnomah County (+6,800) and Washington County (+7,400).
Full Story
Economic & Demographic Indicators
Prosperity & Poverty Index
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Full employment for all & to all a good job
December 19, 2011
Oregon’s unemployment numbers continue to experience a seesaw effect. In May, Oregon saw a decrease in unemployment numbers, but by June, the numbers showed a slight uptick that held through the summer months before retreating in November to the lower numbers seen six months ago.
According to the state’s employment department, WorkSource Oregon, Washington County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 7.5 percent in November, which is the same rate recorded in May, but 1.3 percent less than a year ago; 1.6 percent less than the current state average; and 1.1 percent less than the nationwide unemployment rate.
By comparison, Multnomah County’s unemployment rate also fell last month and now sits at 8.5 percent; Clackamas County 8.4 percent; Yamhill County at 9 percent; and Columbia County perches at 10.4 percent.
Full Story
Economic & Demographic Indicators
Prosperity & Poverty Index
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These are the best of times, these are the worst of times
November 30, 2011
Washington and Clackamas counties continue to see some of the highest income levels and the lowest poverty rates found anywhere in three Northwest states, according to new data released from the 2010 U.S. Census.
Median household incomes in Oregon, Washington and Idaho show our two Westside counties slipping in rank to 4th and 5th place, but while having less than half of the poverty rates found in six other Oregon counties.
More importantly, poverty levels in Washington County actually fell from 10.0 to 9.7 percent in the past year, reversing an alarming nationwide trend, which found poverty levels increasing significantly in 722 of the nation’s 3,142 counties since the economic recession began in 2007.
Full Story
Economic & Demographic Indicators
Prosperity & Poverty Index
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Thankful for working and living on the Westside
November 23, 2011
As the leaves continue to fall and the seasons change, Oregonians continue to feel the effects of "The Great Recession," but residents and businesses on the Westside of the Portland metropolitan region have new reasons to give thanks this week.
The latest employment numbers released this week by Oregon's employment department confirmed that job growth in Washington County increased 1.9 percent in the past 12 months, while unemployment figures have dropped more than one percent to hover at 7.8 percent in October.
Unemployment numbers in neighboring Clackamas and Multnomah counties are stalled at 8.8 and 8.9 percent respectively, but these still remain below the national (9.0 percent) and statewide (9.6 percent) averages.
Full Story
Economic & Demographic Indicators
Prosperity & Poverty Index
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Rejuvenating the Portland area's exports
November 8, 2011
Exports from the Portland metropolitan region doubled between 2003-2008 and boosted the region into 2nd place nationally in terms of the value of exported products and services to our "gross metropolitan product."
Now manufacturing and shipping firms on the Westside of the Portland region appear well-positioned to increase exports by even greater volumes in the near future.
In his "State of the Union" address last year, President Obama challenged U.S. manufacturers to double exports in the next five years, promising 2 million new jobs would accelerate the nation's economic recovery.
Full Story
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WEA plays up the neighborhood
October 28, 2011
On a crisp fall morning this week, the Board of Directors for Westside Economic Alliance broke out of the conference room, suited up in blue jeans and boots to hold their monthly meeting in a unique location - outside on a playground.
"In most communities, we hear a lot of talk about making places better and more livable. Here on the Westside, local business leaders and elected public officials are willing to roll up their sleeves and work shoulder to shoulder to get things done," said WEA executive director Jonathan Schlueter.
WEA's Board spent Wednesday morning in an "executive build" where they constructed a handsome play structure for nine families in the Vance neighborhood, which is a Habitat for Humanity community near 160th and Farmington Road in Aloha. The structure includes swings, a slide, a climbing wall, tire swing, a clatter bridge and even a chimney.
For the full story
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Metro agrees to grow, but with limits
October 21, 2011
As expected, the Metro Council has unanimously agreed to expand the Urban Growth Boundary by 1,985 acres in four locations - all in Washington County. Of this, only 330 acres north of Hillsboro will be designated for industrial development as future employment land.
The latest expansion marks the first increase in the UGB since 2004, when 1,973 acres were designated for employment areas around the region. An additional 345 acres were added in 2005 to provide future job sites north of Hillsboro.
Metro Councilors agreed this latest expansion represented a conservative decision, prompted by a recessed economy. The Council heard testimony from 14 witnesses yesterday, including Westside Economic Alliance executive director Jonathan Schlueter, who supported the Council's decision, but added the Council's decision fails to account for population growth and the need for jobs in the region.
For the full story
WEA testimony to the Metro Council 10-20-2011
UGB Expansion Map
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WEA endorses Clackamas County urban renewal Ballot Measure 3-388
October 20, 2011
As ballots begin arriving in Clackamas County mailboxes, voters will be asked whether they want to have more influence in urban renewal planning efforts.
With two competing ballot measures on the November 8 ballot, Clackamas County voters may find themselves a bit confused. Urban renewal, after all, is not an easy issue to understand, and voters will be asked to decipher between two competing measures.
The passage of Ballot Measure 3-386 would result in a county wide vote anytime an urban renewal plan is proposed in the unincorporated areas of Clackamas County, which describes the majority of the county. This would mean voters near Government Camp would be deciding the fate of urban renewal and community planning efforts in the Stafford triangle for example.
For the full story
WEA's endorsement in the Clackmas County Voters Pamphlet
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WEA selects Norm Eder to lead in 2011-12
October 13, 2011
The Board of Directors for Westside Economic Alliance have elected Norm Ederas president and chairman through 2012. In his new role, Eder replaces Mike Grant, a vice president of Kaiser Permanente, who was recently promoted and transferred to the company's regional offices in Los Angeles California.
Eder will serve the remaining three months of Grant's term and a full 12-month term during the Alliance's 2012 membership year. He brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to his new role, having served on WEA's Board of Directors since the Alliance was formed in 1998. Mr. Eder also served on the Board of Directors of Sunset Corridor Association, which later merged with the Tualatin Valley Economic Development Corporation to create WEA.
In other important changes, the Alliance Board has also elected Jonae Armstrong to serve as Treasurer for the organization through 2012. Armstrong is the senior property manager of Washington Square and previously served as WEA President and Chairwoman in 2010. Armstrong replaces Steve Clark, the former publisher of The Portland Tribune and Community Newspapers, who recently became a vice president of Oregon State University in Corvallis.
For the full story
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Metro focuses on Westside for UGB expansion, but is it enough?
October 11, 2011
“Oregon is for dreamers,” or so the state slogan goes, but for residents of our state’s largest urban region, the American dream of home ownership may soon become more elusive than ever before.
Later this month, the Metro Council will decide whether the Urban Growth Boundary should be expanded to accommodate future growth of our tri-county region.
The Westside is where Metro is focusing most of its attention for expansion, including: 310 acres north of Hillsboro for employment land, 1,063 acres in south Hillsboro, and 543 acres along Scholls Ferry Road west of Beaverton for future residential development. With the exception of 316 acres near Wilsonville, no expansions are planned in Multnomah or Clackamas counties.
For the full story
Jonathan Schlueter's testimony from Metro hearing 10/6/11
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Good Westside job growth & investment news
September 2, 2011
The local news media has been greeting readers with some very welcome “good news” this week as fresh reports came in each day about new job growth and capital investment in Westside businesses.
A $26 million sales agreement announced Monday between Integrated Device Technology (IDT) and Alpha and Omega Semiconductors is being credited with saving as many as 275 IDT jobs at the Hillsboro production facility, which was one of the first fab plants built in Oregon using the state’s Strategic Investment Program (SIP) nearly 20 years ago.
Westsiders were also greeted with reports that Xerox will add 300 jobs in the Tigard triangle, while a small manufacturer of plastic food containers plans to in-source at least 30 manufacturing jobs for a new production facility in Wilsonville. Trellis Earth Products announced this week it plans to spend $7 million to expand U.S. production capacity after finding it difficult to compete with import tariffs and shipping charges incurred by importing their products from China. For the full story
For employment trends, updated economic indicators and demographics.
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Oregon's job growth flattens in June
July 26, 2011
The warm summer months are historically the best time of year for finding new employment opportunities in the state of Oregon. July is the month when construction, agriculture, timber and other outdoor work all hit their high water marks.
According to Oregon’s employment department, WorkSource Oregon, job growth in the state and the region was dampened last month, as slight increases in unemployment were reported in all five of the counties in the Portland metropolitan region.
For the full story
For updated economic indicators and demographics.
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Urban employment continues to power the state
June 21, 2011
While the rest of the nation has apparently stalled in its economic recovery, the Westside and the urban centers of Oregon are continuing to show signs of life.
According to the state’s employment department, WorkSource Oregon, Washington County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 7.6 percent in May, a full 1.5 percentage points lower than one year ago in May of 2010. By comparison, Multnomah County’s unemployment rate also fell by one quarter of one percent last month to 8.4 percent; Clackamas County went down to 8.6 percent; Yamhill County was 9.3 percent; and Columbia County hovered at 10.2 percent.
Sadly, the month of June marks another dubious landmark in Oregon’s economic productivity. Our state has endured a higher rate of unemployment than the national average for 180 consecutive months, since June 1996.
For the full story
For updated economic indicators and demographics
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How much are Oregonians earning & who pays the taxes?
June 1, 2011
Does it seem like you are earning less but spending more than you were in 2007? Take a look around---you are in good company.
Oregonians earned $15 billion less in 2009 than we reported earning just two years earlier, according to new data released this week by Oregon’s Department of Revenue. Based on personal income tax filings for the 2007 and 2009 tax years, Oregonian’s adjusted gross incomes fell from a record $98.7 billion to $83.7 billion in the latest year for which information is available.
Among 1.8 million Oregon tax returns, residents on the Westside of the Portland metropolitan region continued to lead the state with annual income levels and tax contributions paid in the 2009 tax year.
For the full story
For updated economic indicators and demographics
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Oregon is getting back to work
May 24, 2011
Hi-ho, hi-ho! It’s off to work we go.
There is more good news this week for employers and people hoping to find work in the Portland metropolitan region and in most counties in the state of Oregon. Oregon’s jobless rate fell to 9.6 percent in April, when more than 1.6 million people were actively working. This marked the lowest unemployment levels in 30 months with half of Oregon’s 36 counties posting single-digit unemployment levels in the month of April.
The news is particularly encouraging on the Westside of the Portland metropolitan region, where the numbers of workers actively seeking employment last month was estimated at 7.8 percent. Neighboring Multnomah County reported unemployment levels of 8.7 percent, Clackamas County 8.9 percent, Yamhill County 9.6 percent.
For the full story
For updated economic indicators and demographics
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WEA executive director & Beaverton Mayor
interviewed on Comcast Newsmakers
April 21, 2011
WEA's Jonathan Schlueter and Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle recently spoke to Comcast Newsmakers about the impact local employers have on the state economy.
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Wilsonville welcomes SoloPower to Oregon
April 21, 2011
The sunrise in Wilsonville was shining a bit brighter this week as unemployed job seekers and local business owners awoke to the welcome news of a new solar energy manufacturing company coming to town, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the community.
Working late into the night on Monday, the Wilsonville City Council finally voted 4-1 to approve an economic development plan that will enable SoloPower Inc. of San Jose, California to expand and create a manufacturing facility in Oregon. The long-awaited Council decision came just before midnight, after more than four hours of public testimony and discussion in front of a capacity crowd in Wilsonville’s City Hall.
Oregon’s newest solar energy company is expected to create as many as 270 construction jobs initially and as many as 500 production workers when the plant becomes fully operational in the next five years.
For the Full Story
Notable & Quotables from 4/18 Wilsonville City Council Meeting
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Westside leads state in private sector job growth
April 19, 2011
Oregon’s economic outlook became much brighter last month as private sector employment continued to rebound and unemployment rates fell back to single digits for the fourth consecutive month.
The latest employment data compiled by state workforce analysts indicate jobless numbers in Washington and western Clackamas counties fell sharply again last month to their lowest levels since January of 2009.
The unemployment rate in Washington County dropped to 8.0 percent in March---two full percentage points less than the statewide jobless estimate of 10.0 percent. Jobless numbers also fell by nearly half of one percent in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties to 9.3 and 9.1 percent respectively. By comparison, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Washington County a year ago was 9.2 percent.
For the full story
For updated economic indicators and demographics
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Region welcomes 10,000 jobs in 12 months
March 31, 2011
Some welcome news show local unemployment rates are down and thousands of jobs have been added to the local economy in the past year. Oregon’s employment department, WorkSource Oregon, has released its latest workforce estimates for the month of February, and indicators show Oregon is continuing on a path of economic recovery.
While the dreary months of January and February normally represent the lowest point of the year for job opportunities in Oregon, WorkSource Oregon reports the unemployment rates in Oregon’s three largest counties have remained below 10 percent for the third consecutive month and have fallen to the lowest levels in more than two years. Led by Washington (8.4 percent), Multnomah (9.5 percent) and Clackamas (9.7 percent) counties, all three counties remained well below the statewide jobless rate of 10.2 percent last month.
The continuing decline in local and state unemployment rates are also being matched by impressive gains in new jobs. WorkSource Oregon reports 10,000 more private sector jobs have been added during the past year in the Portland metropolitan region – this includes Washington (+5,500), Multnomah (+3,200), Clackamas (+900), and Yamhill (+400) counties - all posting impressive gains in private sector job growth between February 2010 – February 2011.
For the full story
For the latest Economic & Demographic Indicators
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Places to live and places to play -- But will there be places to work?
March 18, 2011
In a rare joint meeting and public hearing, the Washington County Commission and the Metro Council reached a new tentative agreement late Tuesday on future “urban and rural reserves.”
Up until six months ago, the County and Metro officials thought they had an agreement on where our urban region should grow in the next 50 years, and the areas that needed to be preserved for farming or timber. The 28,500 acres proposed as “urban reserves” would expand the current urban growth boundary by about 11 percent if fully developed in the next 50 years, and it would consume about 2 percent of the region’s agricultural acreage. At the same time, the population of the tri-county region is expected to grow by at least 70 percent.
But last October Oregon’s Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) balked at the region’s ambitions for 624 acres north of Cornelius and 28 more acres north of Forest Grove to be marked “urban reserves” and authorized the region to find other areas to accommodate future employment capacity.
For the full story
For WEA's Testimony to Washington County Commission & Metro March 15, 2011
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New employment numbers show economy is rebounding
March 9, 2011
What a difference a year can make. According to the latest employment data from WorkSource Oregon this week, the metropolitan region is posting its lowest unemployment rates in nearly two years.
The latest employment numbers for the month of January confirm the jobless rates in Oregon’s three largest counties have fallen below 10 percent, and there has been a slight increase in the number of jobs added in our metropolitan region, signaling better days ahead.
According to WorkSource Oregon, January’s unemployment levels for Clackamas County remained at 9.9 percent, 9.8 percent in Multnomah County, and 8.8 percent in Washington County. Neighboring Yamhill County hovered at 10.4 percent, Columbia County reported 12.2 percent, and while revised estimates have not yet been released for Clark County, Washington, the (non-seasonally adjusted) jobless rates there were estimated at 13.1 percent in December.
For the full story
Economic Indicators
Prosperty & Poverty
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Alliance questions Metro's forecast for jobs and housing grown
February 25, 2011
Westside Economic Alliance this week filed a list of objections to Metro’s 2030 Capacity Ordinance - a regional plan which is intended to assure the Portland metro area has enough buildable land to accommodate housing and jobs through the year 2030.
Predicting our future population growth and demands for housing and jobs is not an easy task, but late last month Metro completed a 20-year forecast of the population growth in Oregon’s three largest counties to assure an adequate supply of land is available to meet future needs.
In a five page letter to state land use director Richard Whitman, WEA challenged several of the assumptions and conclusions contained in Metro’s regional “capacity ordinance.”
For the full story
Alliance's letter to state land use director Richard Whitman
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County Commission agrees to expand Bethany Boulevard
February 24, 2011
The Washington County Board of Commissioners have agreed to support a four lane expansion of Bethany Boulevard between the Sunset Highway and West Union Road. The 3-2 decision came after a contentious three hour public hearing Tuesday, which drew a capacity crowd to the Shirley Huffman auditorium in Hillsboro. The most energetic in the audience sported red shirts and buttons in a display of neighborhood solidarity for a smaller “3 Not 5” lane expansion alternative.
WEA Executive Director Jonathan Schlueter was the only person called to testify in favor of expanding Bethany Boulevard to five lanes, declaring ”as the economic engine for the state of Oregon, transportation matters here in Washington County.”
For the full story
WEA's Testimony
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Oregon's unemployed continue to look for a silver lining
December 21, 2010
Unemployed Oregonians will likely finish the year much the same as they began, mired in high unemployment, showered with promises, but still searching for any signs of light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
While the state of Oregon posted welcome employment gains of 16,200 new jobs in the past year, job seekers in four metropolitan counties find themselves chasing 2,400 fewer jobs than at this time a year ago.
Even so, the employment outlook in the Portland metropolitan region improved slightly last month. Non-farm employment rose by 600 jobs in both Clackamas and Washington counties in November, while 1600 jobs were added in Multnomah County.
Most of the recent gains were retail and general merchandising jobs, largely offsetting seasonal declines in construction jobs last month, with 300 workers losing their jobs in Clackamas County, 400 more in Multnomah County, and 600 jobs lost in Washington County.
For the full story
Tri-County Economic and Demographic Indicators
Prosperity and Poverty Index
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Can we create "vibrant communities" without schools & churches?
December 3, 2010
Metro is proposing changes to its Regional Framework Plan in an effort to make more efficient use of developable space inside the Urban Growth Boundary. As part of this plan, the regional planning agency is looking at measures that would discourage schools, churches and other non-business uses from taking up valuable industrial space.
WEA executive director Jonathan Schlueter testified last night at a public hearing in Hillsboro and questioned whether the region truly has the usable land supply it needs for a livable community.
Schlueter pointed to Metro’s map of the region’s industrial land inventory and questioned several of the areas listed. He also shared examples where space is needed but already lacking.
For the full story
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Washington County leads 2010 population growth
November 18, 2010
The population of Washington County and the State of Oregon continued to grow during the past year, but at a much slower pace, as fewer people chose to move here and fewer babies were being delivered in our local hospitals. The Population Research Center at Portland State University released their 2010 population estimates earlier this week, giving us a preview to the 2010 U.S. Census report due to be released December 31, and offering the latest information on the population growth trends of our state.
According to the Population Research Center’s latest estimates, the population of Washington County grew by only 5,500 people in the past 12 months---less than half of the growth rate recorded by Westside communities as recently as 2007. But even at an annual growth rate of just one percent, the population growth in Washington County remained the largest among 36 Oregon counties and at twice the growth rate for the state as a whole during the past year.
For the full story
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How We Voted On The Westside
Updated November 9, 2010
Despite the recessed economy and high unemployment, voters on the Westside bucked a nationwide trend last week, opening their wallets and checkbooks and generally supporting most of the funding measures on the November 2 ballot.
While several key contested political races remain up for grabs nearly a week later, voters in Washington and western Clackamas Counties generously supported local and state funding measures to pay for new schools, libraries, public safety, city parks, and state water quality measures.
For the current results in 14 key races and ballot measures important to Westside communities and residents, see link below:
For the full story
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Intel Announces Multi-Billion-Dollar Investment On The Westside
October 19, 2010
In what is believed to be the largest construction project undertaken anywhere in the U.S. in the past three years by any private sector company, Intel confirmed this morning its plans to invest $6-8 billion dollars in manufacturing facilities located in Hillsboro and in Chandler, Arizona.
The company plans to upgrade four production facilities - two here on the Westside (known as D1C and D1D) and two in Chandler (Fab 12 and Fab 32), and build a complete new fab plant to be named “D1X” at its Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro.
This stunning new investment will focus on Intel’s 22-nanometer technology, which will boost the company’s presence in mobile and embedded devices. It also will assist in higher product performance and longer battery life.
This investment is expected to create 6,000-8,000 construction jobs in the near term and 800-1,000 new permanent highly skilled and high wage jobs at the new facility when it becomes operational in 2013.
For the full story
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How We Get There From Here
October 18, 2010
Oregonians love to complain about traffic congestion and tie-ups in our daily commutes. If it seems like you are taking longer to get where you need to be, you're right.
But how do traffic conditions here on the Westside compare with other parts of the region and other parts of the country?
For most commuters in the Portland metropolitan region, we still manage to get to our destinations faster than our fellow road warriors in other parts of the country.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, most commuters in the Portland metropolitan region need less than 25 minutes to get from our homes to our jobs. Our average commuting time around the Portland region actually improved between 2008-09, most likely due to the reduction in those commuting due to our sluggish economy and high unemployment rate.
To read full story
Local U.S. Census data on commuting
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The Latest Economic and Demographic Indicators
October 14, 2010
For the latest economic and demographic information for the Portland tri-county region and beyond, please see the links below:
Tri-County Economic Indicators
Prosperty and Poverty Index
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WEA Executive Director Talks With Newsmakers
September 27, 2010
Westside Economic Alliance executive director Jonathan Schlueter recently appeared on Comcast Newsmakers. The segment offers a snapshot of the economic and demographic profile of the westside of the Portland metropolitan region, and it runs through October 3 - just before the top of the hour on the CNN Headline News Channel.
To see video
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The Latest Economic and Demographic Indicators
September 20, 2010
Westside Economic Alliance compiles data from various sources to create an economic and demographic picture of our region. The Alliance also provides an update to the prosperity and poverty index. Below are the links to this data:
Tri-County Economic Indicators
Prosperity and Poverty Index
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Westside Supporters Answer The Call
September 17, 2010
Successful public schools have always been the pride and cornerstone of thriving communities, and local support for public education has always been the hallmark for communities, businesses and residents on the Westside of our metropolitan region. Even so, the recent outpouring of local support for the Beaverton School District was a remarkable accomplishment that will produce dividends for years to come.
The Beaverton School District was recently chosen among 49 districts nationally---and the only district in Oregon--- to receive a $4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The federal "Art for Learning Program" grant will serve an estimated 13,000 students in grades 3-5 over a five year period, by pro-moting reading and comprehension skills through the integration of art and music.
But to qualify for this grant, school district officials first needed to raise $800,000 in local matching grants. So they rolled up their sleeves, gave up their last three weeks of summer vacation and cancelled plans for the Labor Day holiday weekend, in order to complete the task.
For the full story
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Metro's Report Offers Limited Growth Opportunities
With the population of the Portland metropolitan region expected to grow by another million residents by 2030, regional planners are required to maintain a 20-year supply of developable land, providing housing and job sites for the next generation of Oregonians. But can this future urban growth be concentrated inside the existing urban growth boundary, or will new locations and fresh opportunities also be needed along the perimeters of our region?
This week Metro’s chief operating officer Michael Jordan introduced a “community investment strategy” he believes will make better use of existing infrastructure and urban services by rebuilding and reclaiming developable property inside the urban growth boundary - and where necessary, allow planned development in the “urban reserves” scattered around the urban boundaries.
If the region needs to expand the urban growth boundary in the next five years, nearly all of this growth is expected to occur on the westside of the metropolitan region. Jordan pointed to six candidate areas to supply future housing needs in the region, totaling roughly 2,700 acres. Four of the proposed expansion areas are located on the Westside in Wilsonville, west Sherwood, south Hillsboro, and south Cornelius. The only other candidate area being considered for residential development is the Maple Lane expansion area east of Oregon City.
For the full story
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Oregon's economic engine throws a gear
The State of Oregon is marking another unfortunate landmark this month by leading our nation's unemployment rate. For the past 14 consecutive years, Oregon's unemployment rate has exceeded the national average every month since June 1996, when John Kitzhaber was still in his first term as Governor.
According to the most recent estimates available, 10.6 percent of our state's workforce is currently unable to find employment. This equates to 208,579 Oregonians that are part of an estimated 9.9 percent unemployed nationwide. This leaves an estimated 15.2 million Americans in our nation's workforce sitting idle.
After enduring nearly a three year budget-busting recession, a new report makes it possible to at least begin to assess the financial damage that is being done to our state. The report was made public this week and is the most current information available.
According to the Oregon Department of Revenue, personal income tax collections in 2008 dropped by nearly $600 million from the record levels recorded in 2007, as more than $8.6 billion in taxable income poured out of Oregon's economy in a single year. Nowhere was the financial damage more apparent than in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, where taxable incomes fell nearly $4 billion between 2007-08, draining almost $300 million in state income tax contributions from state coffers.
For the full story
The latest Tri-County Economic Indicators
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From the outside looking in: How does our region measure up?
Oregonians love to compare ourselves with other places – and to be compared with other places around the globe.
Recently, three national studies have focused on the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region and compared it to other major U.S. cities.
In a preview to the 2010 Census report the Washington D.C. based Brookings Institute included Portland in its “State of Metropolitan America” report, ranking Portland as the 23rd largest among 100 cities nationwide. It is one of 19 cities recognized as the “New Heartland,” distinguishing regions that are high growth, low diversity and highly educated.
The Economist Magazine recently featured an article entitled “Is Oregon’s metropolis a leader among American cities or just strange?” The article concluded by saying, “Indeed Portland, for all its history of Western grit, is remarkably white, young and childless.” Really?
For the full story
Latest Tri-County Economic & Demographic Indicators
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Regional unemployment rates drop again, returning to single digit
Unemployment levels in the tri-county Portland metropolitan region fell again last month to their lowest levels in 12 months. The latest indication that economic recovery may finally be taking hold in the Portland metropolitan region came last week with the latest employment figures from the state employment department.
The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in Washington County dropped to 8.5 percent in February, marking the largest single-month drop in more than a year, while returning to the lowest levels since February 2009. The unemployment figures in Washington County were the lowest in the metropolitan region, two percentage points less than the statewide average of 10.5 percent last month, and a point and a half lower than the national unemployment rate of 9.7 percent in February.
Among six counties in the Portland metropolitan region, which account for more than half of the state's total employment opportunities, workers in Washington County also fared better than neighboring Multnomah (9.7 percent), Clackamas (9.9 percent), Yamhill (10 percent) or Columbia county (11.3 percent), and considerably better than Clark County, Washington (14.5 percent). The latest estimates also marked the first time in more than a year in which the unemployment rates in Oregon's three largest counties were all reported in single digits.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Benton County maintained the lowest unemployment levels in the state, with 6.8 percent of the workforce around Corvallis and Oregon State University looking for work last month. Hood River County was second lowest, with 7.6 percent of the workers there unable to find employment. Three counties in central Oregon claimed the highest jobless levels in the state, including Jefferson (12.3 percent), Harney (12 percent) and Crook County (14.9 percent) in February.
WorkSource Oregon reported 53,100 fewer jobs statewide in February 2010 than in February 2009. This equates to 1,590,500 Oregonians working last month, compared to our state’s peak employment of 1,835,084 in February 2008.
Statewide two sectors posted employment gains in the past 12 months. In the private sector, education and health services reported a net increase of 3,400 jobs. While in the public sector, state government employment added 600 workers in the past year, marking the only employment growth at any level of government in the state.
Tri-County Economic and Demographic Indicators
Prosperity & Poverty Index
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Planning our future - Reserves & the economy
For the past two years, regional planners have been meeting and discussing ways to accommodate future growth, while protecting the environmental attributes that make this region a desirable place to live and work. But as we near the end of this laborious process, are we getting any closer to finally reaching agreements, and charting a new course?
In 2007, state lawmakers gave Metro and three metropolitan counties a two year extension to complete their regional planning efforts and maintain a 20-year supply of developable areas for housing and jobs in the state’s most populace region. For the first time, regional planners promised to create “urban” and “rural reserves” that will designate where the tri-county region can grow---or cannot grow---over the next 50 years. To accomplish this, spokesmen for Metro and the three urban counties must reach unanimous agreement in their recommendations, before formal agreements seal the deal.
Full story
WEA testimony to Washington County Board of Commissioners 12/15/09
Tim Duy's PowerPointe presentation 12/18/09
Current map of reserves being proposed as of 12/16/09
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Westside unemployment continues to fall
The unemployment rates in Oregon’s three largest counties continued to fall slightly in November, dropping back to the lowest levels since February.
Data released from WorkSource Oregon confirms that seasonally-adjusted unemployment figures in Washington County are at 9.2 percent, nearly two percentage points lower than the statewide average of 11.1 percent, and it’s lower than neighboring Clackamas County at 10.3 percent and Multnomah County at 10.5 percent.
Full story
The latest information on economic and demographic trends on the Westside of the metropolitan region
Washington County economic indicators from WorkSource Oregon
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Getting Oregon Back to Work
University of Oregon economist Tim Duy spoke at Westside Economic Alliance's Breakfast Forum, pointing out some of the differences in our region versus other regions. The economist said Seattle is green and has income. Do we just want to be green? Why can't we have both? Duy said there are two parts to sustainability. One is environment and the other is economics.
Duy's PowerPointe presentation
Article in Portland Tribune
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You're invited to weigh in on urban and rural reserves
Concerns about future growth and orderly development of our metropolitan region are important issues for residents and businesses alike, as we decide where to live, work and play. Now the public is being invited to speak out about the growth patterns and opportunities in our region with three public hearings scheduled this month in Washington and Multnomah counties.
For the full story
Current map of study areas
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Regional unemployment falls to lowest levels in nine months
Oregon’s economic recovery may finally be taking hold if you look at the state employment department’s latest estimates for the month of October. While Oregon’s statewide unemployment figures held steady at 11.3 percent last month, the jobless rates in the state’s three most populace counties fell again to the lowest levels in nine months.
For the full story
Economic and demographic indicators for the tri-county metro region
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Metro says they're all ears
Recently, Metro has said a lot about how this region should grow and develop over the next 20-50 years. Now the regional planning agency is taking time to listen.
Westside Economic Alliance committees and staff have been offering a wealth of comments and questions to Metro officials about their strategy for “Making The Greatest Place.”
Metro’s Chief Operating Officer, Michael Jordan, spoke to a crowd of about 180 people during this month’s WEA and CCBA Forum in Tualatin, and earlier this week Jordan and two Metro councilors met with WEA’s Board of Directors.
In both these meetings, Michael Jordan explained that there are three key decisions facing the Metro Council in the coming months, including the adoption of a five year Urban Growth Report, the 25 year Regional Transportation Plan, and the designation of 40-50 years of Urban and Rural Reserves.
For the full story
WEA Metro testimony
Port of Portland testimony
Providence testimony
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Washington County says yes to reducing transportation tax
In a welcome reprieve for the local development community, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 yesterday afternoon in favor of a temporary rate reduction for the new transportation development tax (TDT) that took effect earlier this year.
Click here for the full story
Ordinance 729
Memorandum
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Reserving Oregon's future
or outsourcing its
economic opportunities?
“If not in your backyard, and not in my backyard, where will future generations be able to live and work?”
This was the 50-year question left hanging over the heads of regional planners and concerned citizens this week after a series of public hearings and meetings held in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties to designate “urban and rural reserves” around the metropolitan region through the year 2060.
Click here for the full story
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Westside by the numbers
Washington County demographic and economic data
Clackamas County demographic and economic data
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Oregon, make room for
the Jones and others
Despite the current economic recession gripping our state, Oregon’s population actually grew at a faster pace in 2008 than the year before, adding 150 new residents every day between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.
According to the latest estimates, released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau, Oregon’s population grew by 54,511 during that 12-month period, with fully 60 percent of new arrivals choosing to live in the five counties that comprise the Portland metropolitan statistical area.
Full story here
Census data table
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Good news - Road work ahead!
Oregon’s Dept. of Transportation is gearing up for the busiest summer in 50 years as construction begins on 141 projects across the state. Money from the Federal stimulus, Oregon Transportation Investment Act (OTIA), State Transportation Improvement Program, special appropriations, and nearly $300 million in new tax revenue approved last week by state lawmakers, will all be used to finance dozens of transportation projects in our metropolitan region, directly benefit Westside commuters and businesses.
Read full story here
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Merkley tours Westside water supply project
Read full story here
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Metro's Urban Growth Report
Highlights of the report
Urban Growth report
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Columbia River
Crossing Project
Click here for more information
WEA testimony
Click here to see testimony
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The Portland City Council considers the rezoning of
Colwood National Golf Course
Click here for WEA testimony
