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
