The Commission this week voted to approve a proposal advanced by Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, in partnership with Char Vega Pederson, that will kick-off the creation of an economic empowerment strategy for Multnomah County.
“We're facing economic head winds for a variety of reasons, but the County has been essentially a missing partner and player in economic development,” said Commissioner Brim-Edwards. “So today's proposal will kick-start our work to better support, retain, and help grow our existing businesses, while also pursuing strategies to better position Multnomah County as a welcoming place to attract new business and traded-sector employers.”
For decades, the County has played a limited role in propelling economic development in the area. Historically, cities and other partners in the Downtown core and Central City have driven economic development initiatives.
However, the Commission unanimously approved the plan's funding on Thursday and Brim-Edwards introduced the proposal asserting that the County must play an active role in improving economic conditions for Multnomah County residents by reversing recent economic trends and accelerating economic development and creating more opportunities for residents and businesses. Propelling economic activity in Multnomah County is key to our region’s economic health and the overall prosperity of the Oregon economy.
The County will take a first step by developing an Economic Development Landscape Analysis and Report that will inform the development and implementation of a countywide economic development strategy. The report will be presented to the Commission by August 2025.
The report will inform the development and implementation of County-specific strategies to effectively retain and support existing businesses, industries and employers; recruit new businesses and employers; support a diverse, competitive workforce; and spur community and multigenerational wealth throughout the County, including in North Portland, East Portland, and East Multnomah County, as well as in east County cities.
READ MORE: Multnomah County’s Economic Development Landscape Analysis and Report