Press Releases
Regional Inventory Reveals Oregon’s Economic Potential of Sustainable Industries
August 21, 2007Portland, OR
Data will be used to leverage growth of the Oregon’s "green and clean" products
Leading organizations in the public and private sector throughout Oregon have joined forces to conduct an inventory of sustainable industries in Oregon as part of a broader regional study of the Pacific Northwest. The study will provide a forecast of job opportunities and revenue impacts resulting from sustainability initiatives.
This regional effort will be a major step toward promoting growth of clean and green technology businesses and will provide actionable insights to government leaders looking for ways to support economic development within the sector. Leading the charge is Kirkland-based Athena Institute, a regional consultancy firm focused on smart and green innovation. Major Oregon-based sponsors of the survey include the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department, the Portland Development Commission and the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development. In addition, the initiative is supported by key organizations such as the Northwest Environmental Business Council. “Sustainability is a platform of innovation that will support the next generation of world-class companies, and the State of Oregon will use this study to further leverage sustainability as a significant driver of economic development” said Glenn Montgomery, OECDD Sustainable Development Liaison.
Sustainable industries are composed of products, services and approaches that generate more economic and social value with less negative impacts. These solutions may be cleaner, greener, more efficient, or have other characteristics that make them more economically valuable, environmentally sound and stable. Sustainable solution firms can enhance economic development directly through their jobs and revenue, and they can also help other sectors be more competitive and make communities more livable. "This better understanding of our growing sustainability cluster will help us craft a more strategic approach to workforce and other needs that will advance local industry growth, help create jobs and attract additional investment," said Bruce Warner, PDC Executive Director. The survey and resulting industry report will explore what types of companies exist, their stage of growth, export activity, workforce issues, financing approaches, R&D activity, participation in regional funding and incentive programs. Information about the economic value these companies represent to the region and the ingredients necessary for their growth will be detailed in a progress report listing available resources and initiatives underway in the region. The data will be used to inform leaders on the status of efforts to create new job opportunities and to explore ways to promote the growth of the sector. "As a region, we have already demonstrated our ability to be leading users of sustainable products and services," says P.S. Reilly, CEO of Athena Institute. "Now is the time to become world-class providers and reap the resulting economic development benefits from being a center of excellence in high value/low impact solutions." Preliminary results from the study will be unveiled at Discover Brilliant International Conference and Expo in Seattle Washington on September 17-19, 2007. The final day of the conference will feature a summit focused on economic development in the Pacific Northwest, where regional leaders will focus on how to best leverage clean and green technologies for competitive advantage and grow sustainable industries in the Northwest. All companies identified regionally through the effort will be listed in an updated directory at www.athenacompany.com, which will be used to promote the sector and help bring buyers, sellers, investors and potential partners together. This directory will be updated annually and will be the most complete listing of organizations in this emerging movement. Companies currently involved in this industry can visit www.discoverbrilliant.com/survey.php for more information and a link to the survey, or can call Rachel Tynan with Athena at 206-686-9330 ext.320. Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) serves to advance Oregon’s economy by providing direct financial and technical assistance to businesses and communities throughout the state in collaboration with regional and local partners. OECDD is committed to supporting a cluster strategy that recognizes both the diversity and the interdependence that exist among related businesses, and it embraces sustainable development as vital to Oregon’s long-term prosperity. Created by Portland voters in 1958, PDC has played a major role in keeping Portland one of America's most livable cities. Over the course of 50 years, PDC has taken forward 20 urban renewal plans that have helped change the face of the city—creating housing, development opportunities within urban renewal areas and economic development successes across the region. The City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development (OSD) brings together community partners to promote a healthy and prosperous future for Portland by encouraging improvements and innovation in energy use and technologies, recycling, food policy, sustainable purchasing, sustainable economic development and high-performance green building practices. The Athena Institute is based in Kirkland, Washington and dedicated to the deployment and diffusion of smart and green innovation solutions through research, event, consulting and market development activities. Athena is dedicated to promoting Brilliant solutions that are cost effective, enhance the environment, and provide security and stability for businesses, buildings, utilities, and communities. ###
Leading organizations in the public and private sector throughout Oregon have joined forces to conduct an inventory of sustainable industries in Oregon as part of a broader regional study of the Pacific Northwest. The study will provide a forecast of job opportunities and revenue impacts resulting from sustainability initiatives.
This regional effort will be a major step toward promoting growth of clean and green technology businesses and will provide actionable insights to government leaders looking for ways to support economic development within the sector. Leading the charge is Kirkland-based Athena Institute, a regional consultancy firm focused on smart and green innovation. Major Oregon-based sponsors of the survey include the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department, the Portland Development Commission and the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development. In addition, the initiative is supported by key organizations such as the Northwest Environmental Business Council. “Sustainability is a platform of innovation that will support the next generation of world-class companies, and the State of Oregon will use this study to further leverage sustainability as a significant driver of economic development” said Glenn Montgomery, OECDD Sustainable Development Liaison.
Sustainable industries are composed of products, services and approaches that generate more economic and social value with less negative impacts. These solutions may be cleaner, greener, more efficient, or have other characteristics that make them more economically valuable, environmentally sound and stable. Sustainable solution firms can enhance economic development directly through their jobs and revenue, and they can also help other sectors be more competitive and make communities more livable. "This better understanding of our growing sustainability cluster will help us craft a more strategic approach to workforce and other needs that will advance local industry growth, help create jobs and attract additional investment," said Bruce Warner, PDC Executive Director. The survey and resulting industry report will explore what types of companies exist, their stage of growth, export activity, workforce issues, financing approaches, R&D activity, participation in regional funding and incentive programs. Information about the economic value these companies represent to the region and the ingredients necessary for their growth will be detailed in a progress report listing available resources and initiatives underway in the region. The data will be used to inform leaders on the status of efforts to create new job opportunities and to explore ways to promote the growth of the sector. "As a region, we have already demonstrated our ability to be leading users of sustainable products and services," says P.S. Reilly, CEO of Athena Institute. "Now is the time to become world-class providers and reap the resulting economic development benefits from being a center of excellence in high value/low impact solutions." Preliminary results from the study will be unveiled at Discover Brilliant International Conference and Expo in Seattle Washington on September 17-19, 2007. The final day of the conference will feature a summit focused on economic development in the Pacific Northwest, where regional leaders will focus on how to best leverage clean and green technologies for competitive advantage and grow sustainable industries in the Northwest. All companies identified regionally through the effort will be listed in an updated directory at www.athenacompany.com, which will be used to promote the sector and help bring buyers, sellers, investors and potential partners together. This directory will be updated annually and will be the most complete listing of organizations in this emerging movement. Companies currently involved in this industry can visit www.discoverbrilliant.com/survey.php for more information and a link to the survey, or can call Rachel Tynan with Athena at 206-686-9330 ext.320. Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) serves to advance Oregon’s economy by providing direct financial and technical assistance to businesses and communities throughout the state in collaboration with regional and local partners. OECDD is committed to supporting a cluster strategy that recognizes both the diversity and the interdependence that exist among related businesses, and it embraces sustainable development as vital to Oregon’s long-term prosperity. Created by Portland voters in 1958, PDC has played a major role in keeping Portland one of America's most livable cities. Over the course of 50 years, PDC has taken forward 20 urban renewal plans that have helped change the face of the city—creating housing, development opportunities within urban renewal areas and economic development successes across the region. The City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development (OSD) brings together community partners to promote a healthy and prosperous future for Portland by encouraging improvements and innovation in energy use and technologies, recycling, food policy, sustainable purchasing, sustainable economic development and high-performance green building practices. The Athena Institute is based in Kirkland, Washington and dedicated to the deployment and diffusion of smart and green innovation solutions through research, event, consulting and market development activities. Athena is dedicated to promoting Brilliant solutions that are cost effective, enhance the environment, and provide security and stability for businesses, buildings, utilities, and communities. ###