Development Commission Targets Sustainable Growth
Published Feb 13, 2009
With half a century of successes to look back on, it would be understandable if the Portland Development Commission took a breather.
Understandable, yes, but highly unlikely.
Now more than ever, the PDC is engaged in initiatives that underscore its long-term involvement in the city’s growth – from multiple urban-renewal programs to downtown revitalization, transportation, infrastructure and parks.
On the business front, the PDC focuses on four industrial clusters: advanced manufacturing, clean technology, design and creative services, and high tech. To grow those, it promotes and takes part in initiatives on everything from urban sustainability to harbor reclamation, says Erin Flynn, urban development director for PDC.
“We’ve identified sustainability as a cross-cutting strategic goal for the agency, so we incorporate sustainable practices into all the work we do,” she says. “We’ve also identified green tech and clean tech as priorities for the economic development of the Portland region. We’re very focused on the recruitment and growth of solar and wind companies because we view them as the next generation, the next industrial revolution.”
Flynn adds that the majority of PDC funding for economic development goes to small businesses. “In our 50th year, we’re focusing on not only growing our large companies but working with those small companies.”
Story by Joe Morris
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