Oregon has enormous opportunities to expand its
international exports, and, thus, to create jobs in Oregon. But it won’t just
happen. I recently blogged on the lack of leadership from the Oregon business
community (see my post “Oregon Business Plan initiatives lack international
dimensions” here).
Oregon, to my knowledge, does not have a strategic
plan to develop exports.
Such a plan should include the expanded foreign
language and study abroad opportunities that are the staple of this blog. But
it should also include plans for more port facilities. That’s how we will ship
our goods abroad.
I currently do not know that much about Oregon
ports. I’ve lots of questions as to where the best development/investments
should be. So, wishing to learn more (and I did), I attended and watched online
the City of Portland’s hearing on the Port of Portland’s proposal to develop a
marine terminal on West Hayden Island.
This video clip, to me, is the most interesting and
informative four minutes of the four hours of testimony. Bill Wyatt, Executive
Director of the Port of Portland, is responding to a question from City
Commissioner Amanda Fritz as to what products might be shipped from the
proposed facility.
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