The investments we're making in the Bull Run Treatment Projects create jobs today and will provide safe, reliable water infrastructure for our community members, businesses, and industries to thrive for generations to come.
Sustains Diverse Local Businesses and Industries
Madeline McCarthy, Brewer at Von Eberts Brewing and Kelsey Cable, Brewer at Wayfinder BeerDelivers safe, reliable water for vital industry: This includes industries that power our economy like manufacturing, healthcare, high technology, hotels, restaurants, and hospitality.
Provides more consistent water quality: Improved filtration will sustain sensitive computer and technology manufacturers, hospitals and beverage producers who rely on consistent, high-quality water.
Improves resilience to help businesses get up and running faster: The new filtration facility and pipes will be built to modern seismic standards to better withstand an earthquake or other natural disaster.
Increases Opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
Neil Fernando, Principal at Emerio Designs
Helps address social equity and improves workforce diversity: The projects help address social inequity and diversify the workforce by following Portland's policies for social equity in contracting.
Creates more than $200 million in business and job opportunitiesfor people of color and women: The investment in the Bull Run Treatment Projects provides opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Awards at least 20 percent of subcontracts to certified disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled-veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses.
Commits 26 percent of hard construction costs (more than $2 million) to firms certified by the state’s Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity to deliver on Portland’s equity and inclusion contracting policy on the Improved Corrosion Control Treatment Project.
Creates Local Jobs to Stimulate the Economy
Generates upwards of 15 jobs for every $1 million invested in water infrastructure: These jobs are either to directly support water infrastructure design and construction, or in related industries.
Offers opportunities for locally owned, small businesses: These projects support local businesses that employ people who live and have families in our community.
Creates 4,700-7,500 jobs: 28 percent of construction jobs will go to people of color and women.
Provides opportunities for a variety of professions: Career opportunities are wide-spread to support a diverse workforce including construction, engineering, design, planning, finance, and communications.
Offers a variety of stable, well-paying job opportunities: Numerous jobs will be available to run and manage our water infrastructure once the projects are complete.
Protects Ratepayers with Wise, Long-term Investments
Cecelia Huynh, Director of Finance and Support ServicesTakes advantage of low-interest, fixed-rate federal loan: The low cost loan enables us tomaintain affordability while making important investments in our water system.
Saves money by enabling us to repay loan over time: Payments on the loan will not need to begin until after ratepayers are already getting the benefits of the new facilities.
Manages costs closely: Our program team is constantly looking for efficiencies and ways to save money to keep rates affordable.
Provides robust financial assistance: We offer a variety of financial assistance programs for people who struggle to pay their bills.
Blogs
For Our Economy with Fernando's AlegriaSafe and reliable water, the key ingredient for local business
The investments we’re making in the Bull Run Filtration Project and our water system are essential to the diverse industries and businesses powering our local economy.
Caring for our customers now—and tomorrow—through wise infrastructure investments
As we invest in the Bull Run Treatment Projects, we're committed to keeping water affordable by taking advantage of low-interest rate financing, managing costs closely, and offering assistance to customers who could use help paying their bill.
Emerio Design: Dedicated to improving the quality of life in our community
Thanks to hard work and a commitment to the City of Portland’s equity contracting goals, Emerio Design is tackling their biggest civil engineering and surveying projects yet and improving the quality of life of our community with the Bull Run Filtration Project.
Brewing up business and building community one cup at a time
Deadstock Coffee brings together three things that Portland is known for: community, sneakers, and delicious coffee. It’s a unique concept with an often unsung ingredient in helping build its success: Bull Run water.
