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PCC’s Willow Creek Center hosts the Washington County Economic Summit
Photos and Story by Christine Egan
PCC’s Willow Creek Center was the venue on Wednesday, January 26, for the second annual Washington County Economic Summit.
Oregon State Representative Shawn Lindsay addresses participants at the Washington County Economic Summit at PCC's new Willow Creek Center.
An estimated 100 people – mostly small-business owners and elected officials – attended the morning event, which featured an economist explaining the recession and recovery, a panel of local entrepreneurs and a question-and-answer session.
Willow Creek, PCC’s newest facility, is at 185th Avenue and Edgeway Drive in Hillsboro. Along with classroom space for PCC and Portland State University, it serves up to 1,000 people per day through a state training program for the unemployed.
It is the first new facility funded by the bond approved by voters in 2008. The facility, which opened in March 2010, also received a $7.5 million matching grant from the Oregon Legislature.
Organizers of the economic summit included the Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and the Westside Economic Alliance. Hosts for the event were three state lawmakers: Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Hillsboro, a veteran of the Capitol in Salem, along with Reps. Katie Eyre Brewer, R-Hillsboro, and Shawn Lindsay, R-Hillsboro, both newly elected last November.
Several state legislators, including Oregon State Senator Bruce Starr, took part in the event.
“We truly appreciate Sen. Starr, Rep. Lindsay and Rep. Eyre Brewer for hosting this event today,” said Deanna Palm, chamber president. “Washington County’s economic health is vital for our region and state. This was a great opportunity for our legislators to hear directly from small business how the economic recession has impacted them and their business and how legislators can assist them by removing barriers to job growth.”
Keynote speaker was economist Jerry Johnson of Johnson & Reid, a consulting firm that specializes in land-use economics. Johnson also is an adjunct professor at PSU’s School of Urban Studies. He discussed the economic trends in Washington County over the past decade.
A panel discussion featured four small-business owners, representing landscape management, the high-tech industry, insurance and retail.
About Christine Egan
Christine Egan is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and has a graduate degree in land use and environmental planning. Prior to her Peace Corps service in the Dominican Republic, she lived in Washington DC serving as a legislative advisor to ... more »