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March 2: "PGE and YOU: Powering the Economy"

Peggy Fowler, president & CEO, Portland General Electric, and Tim Hibbitts, a public opinion analyst with Davis, Hibbitts, & Midghall addressed the latest topics about PGE’s future and the issues that impact our businesses and communities. Hibbitts revealed the findings from the 2006 Statewide Growth and Economy Survey, sponsored by PGE.

According to the survey of 500 registered voters, most respondents had little confidence in local government's ability to improve the economy. When asked if the policies and actions of local governments had improved, made worse, or had no effect on business, 38 percent said they made no difference, while about 32 percent said government policy had made the climate worse.

May 25: "The Challenge of Access: Staying Relevant in the Global Economy"

Bill Wyatt, executive director, Port of Portland, addressed the challenges our region faces in staying connected to the global economy. The Port, which manages four marine terminals and four airports, including Hillsboro Airport and Portland International Airport, works to ensure passengers and cargo have competitive access to global and national markets.

Click to view Bill Wyatt's presentation.

Keynote speaker Chairman Stuart
Foster, Oregon Transportation Commission

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski described how state and local officials persuaded Genentech to locate in the state under the Governor’s Certified Industrial Lands Program, in preference to competing sites in at least four other states and various overseas locations. City of Hillsboro Mayor Tom Hughes and Washington County Commission Chairman Tom Brian explained how Genentech's decision to locate in Hillsboro will benefit the local, regional and state economy by diversifying employment, expanding the local and state tax bases, and creating a foundation for further expansion in the biotechnology cluster in Oregon, and on the Westside.

Click to read Governor Kulongoski's speech.

Governor Ted Kulongoski


From left, presenters Mayor Tom Hughes, City of Hillsboro; Chair Tom Brian, Washington County Commission; Barry Starkman, Genentech; Bob Repine, OECDD

August 17: "Investing in Oregon's Economic Future"

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden discussed a variety of important issues, highlighting the funding our state has recently received from federal appropriations bills. Sen. Wyden also discussed the recent Senate appropriations that will benefit several Oregon transportation projects, which includes a $27.6 million provision to construct a 14.7 mile commuter rail line between Beaverton and Wilsonville, and $1 million in additional funding to connect I-5 with Oregon Highway 99W on the Westside.

“At the end of the day, if you don’t have a big league transportation system, you’re going to have a little league economy. For the first time, Oregon is getting back more money in transportation that we are actually sending to Washington D.C.,” said Sen. Wyden, referring to federal gas tax receipts.

The state has received over 2,400 Measure 37 claims with a requested total compensation of more than $5.6 billion. According to Shetterly, the state is not seeing many claims for commercial or industrial development uses, and the majority of the claims are for land divisions and large subdivisions.

Referring to the “Big Look,” Shetterly said, “Oregon’s land use planning has changed over time, making it less transparent. Also, Oregon has experienced significant population growth with people who weren’t here when the state’s land use planning system was enacted.”

On the subject of transportation, Sen. Smith told the audience that a change in the funding formula in the Federal Public Transportation Act means that for the first time Oregon will be receiving more money back in federal gas taxes than it sends to the federal government.

“We need to be investing in roads because people vote with their wallets, and people like their cars,” said Smith.

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith

Oregon InC is the cross-sector leadership team created by Governor Kulongoski and the 2005 Oregon Legislature to drive the state’s innovation strategy. This private-public sector coalition of 40 leaders from traded-sector industry, higher education and government is charged with identifying the state's top innovation-driven growth opportunities, maximizing our state's competitive advantages, and establishing Oregon's niche in the global economy.

Click to view John Morgan's presentation.

OREGON INNOVATION COUNCIL MEMBERS —From left, Sen. Ryan Deckert, John Morgan, and Bob Repine