Clackamas County to conduct industrial site and workforce readiness study for economic growth
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Clackamas County Policy Session on November 13, 2024, focused on the findings of the Clackamas County Economic Landscape Analysis (ELA), which provides a comprehensive overview of the county's economic status and trends from 2013 to 2023. The analysis highlights the county's recovery from the pandemic and its current economic growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding local employment dynamics.
Key discussions included the identification of four major employment areas within the county: the Clackamas Industrial Area, East Wilsonville Industrial Area, Cruise Way, and North Milwaukee Industrial Areas. These hubs are crucial for the county's economic framework. Notably, Clackamas County boasts the fifth lowest unemployment rate in the region, indicating a strong labor market.
The ELA revealed that Clackamas County has experienced a 2.1% growth in total private employment over the past decade, with a significant rebound in job numbers post-pandemic. The county added over 29,000 jobs in the last ten years, representing about 22% of the regional job growth in the Tri-County area. While this growth is less than neighboring counties, Clackamas County's annual growth rate is higher, suggesting a positive trend in local economic expansion.
The meeting also highlighted the top five industry anchor sectors in Clackamas County: food systems, health systems, advanced manufacturing, high-tech, and logistics. These sectors collectively contribute over 45,000 jobs and approximately $6.13 billion to the local economy. The discussion underscored the need for targeted outreach and attraction efforts to support these industries and their supply chains.
To further bolster economic growth, county officials proposed an industrial site and workforce readiness study. This initiative aims to assess the needs of key industries, including land requirements and workforce characteristics, to ensure sustainable development and job creation in Clackamas County.
The session concluded with a call for support from the commissioners to establish the scope of work for the upcoming study, which is expected to play a vital role in shaping the county's economic future and addressing housing and job growth needs.
Key discussions included the identification of four major employment areas within the county: the Clackamas Industrial Area, East Wilsonville Industrial Area, Cruise Way, and North Milwaukee Industrial Areas. These hubs are crucial for the county's economic framework. Notably, Clackamas County boasts the fifth lowest unemployment rate in the region, indicating a strong labor market.
The ELA revealed that Clackamas County has experienced a 2.1% growth in total private employment over the past decade, with a significant rebound in job numbers post-pandemic. The county added over 29,000 jobs in the last ten years, representing about 22% of the regional job growth in the Tri-County area. While this growth is less than neighboring counties, Clackamas County's annual growth rate is higher, suggesting a positive trend in local economic expansion.
The meeting also highlighted the top five industry anchor sectors in Clackamas County: food systems, health systems, advanced manufacturing, high-tech, and logistics. These sectors collectively contribute over 45,000 jobs and approximately $6.13 billion to the local economy. The discussion underscored the need for targeted outreach and attraction efforts to support these industries and their supply chains.
To further bolster economic growth, county officials proposed an industrial site and workforce readiness study. This initiative aims to assess the needs of key industries, including land requirements and workforce characteristics, to ensure sustainable development and job creation in Clackamas County.
The session concluded with a call for support from the commissioners to establish the scope of work for the upcoming study, which is expected to play a vital role in shaping the county's economic future and addressing housing and job growth needs.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting