Public Policy Initiatives
Economic Opportunities Analysis
The City of Portland is updating their economic opportunities analysis (EOA); a little-known state-wide planning requirement that identifies likely industrial and other economic development opportunities and corresponding employment land needs for the community. However, in this city, history has shown that this process typically results in further regulation on harbor businesses, impacting their growth. The City’s available industrial land supply is both constrained and diminishing. We are keeping close watch on the potential for additional regulation that can further restrict the harbor businesses’ operations, facility maintenance and development activities.
We are participating with other interested parties, in reviewing and commenting on the City of Portland EOA documents and will have a recommendation for our members to consider once the effort wraps up Summer of 2024.
Renewable Fuel Storage policy
- Renewable Fuels Standard – Technical Advisory Committee: WWC member companies have participants on this committee and other members have provided input to the committee.
- Fossil Fuel Terminal Ordinance: WWC has participated with other organizations in several challenges of this ordinance before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.
Seismic Assessment and Preparedness:
WWC member companies are working to comply with the requirements of Senate Bill 1567 which gave Oregon DEQ the authority to develop a program to evaluate and prepare for a major seismic event.
MPAP and related transportation impacts on industrial lands
- Montgomery Park Area Plan (MPAP) Proposed Draft now available for review.
- Feel free to submit public comment through the Map App.
Stormwater Rate Changes
Reports & Studies
Working Waterfront Coalition Overview
For a great overview of what the working waterfront harbor looks like and statistics to support the importance of working wage jobs, please see this excellent presentation by former Executive Director, Ellen Wax.
News & Events
For media inquiries or interviews, please contact Tanya Hartnett, Executive Director, at 503.220.2064 or Tanya.Hartnett@workingwaterfrontportland.org
Working Waterfront Coalition announces Scholarship Endowment with Portland Community College Foundation
WWC is proud to announce that it has set up an endowment with Portland Community College Foundation. Founded in 2005, WWC is committed to a long-term legacy as both a coalition and providing training for working wage Jobs.
The scholarship fund at the PCC Foundation spans more than a decade. WWC’s investment has had a profound impact on the lives of PCC students studying the trades. This investment in education fuels the local and regional economy as scholarship recipients go on to secure working wage jobs and make untold contributions to their communities. In creating the endowment, WWC is ensuring support for student scholarships which are not only available today, but that it grows and continues in perpetuity, providing a much-needed, trained workforce to the industrial sector.
Please support the training of much needed industrial employees by donating now.
Contact Tanya Hartnett (tanya.hartnett@workingwaterfrontportland.org) for more information on how to support the endowment or if you want your gift to be tax deductible.
Portland City Council Hearing | Montgomery Park Area Plan
This month, the newest recommended draft of the Montgomery Park Area Plan (MPAP) will be made public. housing and commercial land. The public hearing and testimony for this draft’s review is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13th at 2:00 p.m.
The MPAP site is land currently zoned for industrial use, and if this draft is passed, MPAP will be rezoned for mixed-use i.e. housing and commercial. This is a problem for two reasons:
1. Our industrial land provides more family-wage jobs for people of color and people without four-year degrees than any other sector. Additionally, our data indicates this holds true for LGBTQ+ communities as well.
2. Portland is essentially out of industrial land. If an industrial business has to move from the NW industrial zone, they will almost certainly have to move out of Portland, along with those family-wage jobs for our most vulnerable populations.
Although not in the Columbia Corridor or Swan Island, a shortage of industrial land supply is a common issue we face throughout Portland.
We encourage you to make a testimony on November 13th to share your thoughts on the draft plan.
Mayoral Forum
Portland’s Industrial Districts welcomed over 100 people on the morning of September 5th to hear the top three contenders for Portland’s next Mayor; Carmen Rubio, Rene Gonzalez, and Keith Wilson. Each candidate captivated the audience with inspiring perspectives and bold visions for the future, tackling some of the city’s most urgent issues.
Special thanks to our sponsors for making this event possible: MeyerPro, Columbia Corridor Association, Swan Island Industrial Business Association, Northwest Industrial Business Association, Central Eastside Industrial Council, Calbag Metals, Portland General Electric, and Cine Rent West!
Op-Ed by Executive Director Tanya Hartnett
The August 2024 issue of the North Peninsula Review will highlight the WWC as an organization. In addition, the op-ed clarifies the WWC’s role as an active participant in the City of Portland’s process for the update to the Economic Opportunities Analysis that is a critical component for the preservation of industrial land zoning policies.
North Peninsula Review, Op-Ed, July 2024 — Portland Harbor Industries; Empowering our Future
By Tanya Hartnett, Executive Director, Working Waterfront Coalition
Looking out at the Willamette River, you see large scale operations that are served by ship, rail and truck. What may look like a solitary enterprise, is actually part of an economic ecosystem of industries largely dependent upon the water for their operation but also upon one another for product, supplies or the next step in the supply chain.
These businesses were established in the Portland Harbor as early as the late 1800s . . . Read More
Industrial jobs and manufacturing offer a lifeline to Portland and the state – Will they take it?
The City of Portland is updating their economic opportunities analysis (EOA); a little-known state-wide planning requirement that identifies likely industrial and other economic development opportunities and corresponding employment land needs for the community. However, in this city, history has shown this process typically results in further regulation on harbor businesses, impacting their growth.
Now more than ever, Oregon needs a healthy private sector to provide jobs, preserve urban vitality, support rural productivity, while generating revenue for critical public services.
– Ellen Wax, Former Executive Director