To Where in a Handbasket?

As Portland goes, so goes the rest of the state. Well, here's a new report that shows where Portland is going economically and it doesn't bode well for the rest of the state.

Basically, a new economic study shows that Portland has gone from near parity with other big Western cities in the 1970s to way down the list when it comes to income. The report notes:

"The sobering report says Multnomah County, the state's main economic engine, ranked second from last in private-sector job creation among 194 Western counties and five multicounty areas from 1997 to 2009. Per capita incomes in metro Seattle, Denver and Minneapolis exceed those in greater Portland by 16 to 21 percent..."


Interestingly, the Clark County, Washington area just across the Columbia showed more growth than Portland. Surely it couldn't be all the state and local taxes could it? Nah - and don't call me Shirley!


Portland officials can blow smoke all day long about "green jobs" and the "creative class" but at the end of the day, more high-paying manufacturing and other jobs have left than have located here and Portland is becoming a green version of the Rust Belt cities of the East and Midwest. I would remind them mold is green too. 

www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/portland_area_wages_job_creati.html