Friday, April 23, 2021
News & Notes
Senator Merkley to join WEA for its next virtual forum
   WEA confirmed today U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley will be joining members and guests for a Virtual Forum on Friday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m.
   The Senator will be providing guests with an update on infrastructure discussions and other policy objectives.
   He will also be taking audience questions.
   Registration information for this forum will be available next week.
Forums focused on local economic health
   Raihana Ansary from the Governor's office, John Southgate for Washington County, and John Tapogna from ECONorthwest joined WEA for a virtual forum last week.
   Matt Craigie, who is the new Washington County economic development manager, also made an appearance.
   Tapogna shared his perspective on how the Portland metro region is faring right now.
   He thinks Oregon's health precautions will help it be a winner coming out of the pandemic, saying the recovery is coming along better than anticipated.
   Tapogna did say Portland has taken a hit thanks to national media coverage of riots, but that Redfin data shows people are still searching for real estate here.
   Ansary shared the Governor's 10-Point Economic Recovery Plan for Oregon and talked about focusing on people of color and those impacted by last fall's wildfires.
   Southgate was originally brought in to help Washington County create an economic development group, but he quickly found himself pivoting his efforts to respond to the pandemic.
   He said economic development is a team sport, "What we do, we do together."
   Southgate gave a shout out to the City of Tualatin's Jonathan Taylor for his help in developing the Business Recovery Centers, which have helped distribute financial support for small businesses.
   He thanked PGE, NW Natural, and Intel for their support with private financial donations.
   Craigie said he's looking forward to working with local partners and convening discussions on economic development policies in the future.
   To see a recording of this event, turn to WEA's YouTube channel.
   Coming up on Thursday, May 20 WEA will host a virtual forum with Economist Josh Lehner - the day after he and his colleagues release the latest Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast.
New report shows Intel's direct economic impact on Oregon's GDP is $10.3 billion
   Intel released its latest economic impact report this week, and it shows the significant impact the company has on Oregon's economy.
   In 2019, Intel employed more than 20,000 people here with an indirect impact on more than 100,000 Oregon jobs, or 4% of the state's employment.
   The high tech company's heart of research and development is in Hillsboro.    Intel's total value added impact on Oregon's GDP equates to $19.3 billion.
   To see the report, click here.
Washington County annual address - hope & resiliency
   During a virtual "State of the County" address this week, Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington and members of the Board of Commissioners reflected on the services and investments made during 2020.
   Harrington said it was a year of finding resiliency and hope.
   She said the pandemic revealed inequities that had not be addressed.
   The County is working to balance things by applying an equity lens when deploying resources.
   Harrington talked about the investments and partnerships the county is utilizing when it comes to affordable housing and supportive housing services.
   Commissioner Jerry Willey spoke about the distribution of millions of dollars in aid from the federal CARES Act and the County's convening of economic development leaders to help struggling businesses.
   Willey said more federal aid is expected to arrive in the summer, and the County will be working with its partners to get funds allocated across the county.
   Looking forward, Harrington said the County will be having robust community engagement for its strategic plan, and it will address transportation needs, including first and last mile traveled.
   To see the event, turn to Washington County's YouTube channel.
Land Use Committee talks middle housing
   Washington County's Theresa Cherniak and Kim Armstrong spoke with the Land Use & Housing Committee this week about middle housing.
   This is in reference to HB 2001, which allows for a range of housing on a single family lot or parcel.
   ECONorthwest has recently completed a feasibility analysis for the County, focusing on unincorporated areas under the current market conditions.
   Cherniak said the study found this type of development to be feasible on about 3% of the parcels.
   She noted that redevelopment usually only happens when a property sells and that it may be easier to convert an existing house to middle housing.
   To see the slide deck to this presentation, click here.
Metro Councilor González discusses regional infrastructure package
  WEA's Transportation Committee recently met with Metro Councilor Juan Carlos González about the proposed American Jobs Plan.
   This federal program would provide more than $2 trillion for infrastructure investments and jobs across the country.
   González has met with local transportation officials to collaborate on what projects should be designated or earmarked for such funding.
   This resulted in a package referred to as Greater Portland JCATS (Jobs, Climate, Action, Transportation, and safety), and it asks for funding for some of the major transportation connections in the region.
   The Metro Councilor said these projects are all shovel ready.
   Committee members who participated in the process said it was intense, fast, and a good partnership exercise.
   WEA has provided a letter of support for the Greater Portland JCAT package.
   To read it, click here.
Odds & Ends
  • Business Oregon opened up round two of its commercial rent relief program for small businesses. Click here to see more information. Applications are being accepted through May 6.

  • If you're looking to help your employees' mental health, the Standard has a resource web page that may help.

  • The Port of Portland is inviting public comment on its update for the Hillsboro Airport runway and runway safety area. Click here to learn more.

  • Rocket Homes has ranked Portland as the most sustainable city in the nation. Take a look.

  • The City of Tigard is hosting a virtual online open house for the Washington Square Regional Center area. Click here to learn more.

  • Sherwood is hosting a virtual open house about a possible urban renewal area. Click here to see more.
Events coming up
Wed. 4/28 at 7:30 a.m. - The Board of Directors will meet virtually.

Fri. 5/7 at 12:00 p.m. - the Golf/Fundraising Committee will meet virtually. This committee is working on the sponsorship phase for the annual Westside Golf Scramble, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 26 at The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club. Please contact Teresa Dunham for more information on how to land a great sponsorship.

Wed. 5/12 at 7:30 a.m. - The Transportation Committee will meet virtually. All members are welcome. For more information, contact Pam Treece.

Wed. 5/12 at 6:00 p.m. - The City of Tualatin is hosting a virtual State of the City address. Click here to learn more.

Fri. 5/14 at 9:30 a.m. - A Virtual Forum with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley.

Wed. 5/19 at 12:00 p.m. - The Land Use & Housing Committee will meet virtually. All members are welcome. For more information, contact KC Reinhart.

Th. 5/20 at 7:30 a.m. - A Virtual Forum with Economist Josh Lehner, who will give his insight about the State Economic and Revenue Forecast, which is being released the day before.

* Items in bold are WEA events.