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WHEREAS, on July 9, 2009, through Resolution 36714, Portland City Council (“City Council”) adopted the City of Portland Economic Development Strategy Five Year Plan for Promoting Job - A Creation and Economic Growth, with the overarching goal of building the most sustainable economy in the world; 

WHEREAS, on May 5, 2015, City Council accepted a report on the Prosper Portland 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, with the overarching goal of achieving widely shared prosperity among all residents of Portland; 

WHEREAS, since that time, many of the local, national, and international conditions that drive Portland’s economy have changed, necessitating a new strategy for the City of Portland (“City”) to encourage equitable job growth, wealth creation, climate resilience, and healthy and vibrant communities; 

WHEREAS, on November 17, 2021, City Council through Ordinance 190606 directed funding to Prosper Portland to conduct i) an inclusive economic development strategy and ii) a Central City and commercial district market analysis and strategy; 

WHEREAS, in March 2022, Prosper Portland and the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (“BPS”) launched development of an inclusive growth strategy with a diverse team of consultants who conducted an economic analysis of Portland’s industries, workforce, innovation activities, built environment, and institutions, as well opportunities to drive growth through inclusion and climate action; 

WHEREAS, in December 2022, Prosper Portland launched efforts related to a Central City and neighborhood commercial district strategy with consultants who analyzed demographic, employment, industry, housing, and commercial real estate trends across the Central City and commercial districts before and after the COVID-19 pandemic; 

WHEREAS, on February 2, 2023, City Council adopted Resolution 37609, a 90-day City Council Action Plan directing Prosper Portland and BPS to present Advance Portland: A Call to Action for Inclusive Economic Growth (Advance Portland) to City Council for adoption by approximately the first week of May 2023; 

WHEREAS, Advance Portland is a City-wide economic development strategy building on the above analyses that sets forth the goal for Portland to advance inclusive growth through interventions that advance competitiveness, racial equity and climate action over the next five years; 

WHEREAS, Advance Portland reflects input from the robust, inclusive engagement of community members, business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders, and residents, which included over one-hundred individual interviews, focus groups, and affinity meetings with representation from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; young professional; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Asexual, Intersex and more; East Portland; differently-abled and disabled; and low-income communities; 

WHEREAS, development of Advance Portland was guided by a Steering Committee and Leadership Roundtable, representing local and national industry experts and community-based partners, representing public, private, and non-profit leaders, that have provided valuable guidance on strategy development and the best path forward for the City’s economy; 

WHEREAS, development of Advance Portland was guided by a City inter-bureau working group (including staff from Prosper Portland, BPS, Bureau of Transportation, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Bureau of Housing, Bureau of Environmental Services, and Bureau of Development Services) that provided feedback on where other City-led initiatives align with recommendations and actions in Advance Portland; 

WHEREAS, Advance Portland will guide Portland’s economic development and inclusive growth priorities over the next five years with a focus on quality job growth, equitable wealth creation, vibrant commercial districts and access to employment grounded in the values of racial equity and inclusion, climate action, robust partnerships, and intentional growth; 

WHEREAS, Advance Portland identifies key actions that will: 

• Propel Inclusive Economic Growth and Innovation in key traded sector clusters and expand green products and services while addressing barriers to growth. 

• Promote Equitable Wealth Creation by supporting Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses through partnerships, capital, and support. 

• Foster a Vibrant Central City and Commercial Districts with tailored strategies to create vital centers of employment, small business, entertainment, and cultural amenities. 

• Connect Portlanders to High Quality Jobs in Future-Ready Sectors through industry-based and industry-driven job training and improved proximity to quality jobs. 

WHEREAS, adoption of Advance Portland by City Council will require engagement across multiple City bureaus in developing plans, programs, projects and regulations for future implementation; 

WHEREAS, Prosper Portland has the authority and responsibility to implement economic 
development programs for the City and will provide staffing to coordinate and report on Advance Portland; and 

WHEREAS, BPS has the authority and responsibility to advance climate action focusing on a just and equitable transition to a clean, inclusive, emissions-free economy and community.  

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that City Council hereby adopts Advance Portland attached hereto as Exhibit A;  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City Council directs creation of a City implementation team responsible for actions identified in Advance Portland,  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City Council directs staff and the City implementation team to return to City Council within 90 days with the following specific actions to implement Advance Portland: 

1. Launch tax increment finance district exploration processes, with early priority on East Portland (including 82nd Avenue), and future focus on Central City 

2. Formalize a clean energy initiative partnership 

3. Create an external advisory committee to advise on implementation and monitor progress 

4. Recommend a process to evaluate the economic and financial impact of proposed new or revised regulations being considered by City Council  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City Council calls for public, non-profit, and private entities to engage in implementing, funding, and shaping implementation of Advance Portland alongside Prosper Portland, BPS, and all relevant City bureaus,  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City Council directs the City implementation team to develop performance metrics and regularly report on progress, and  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.