October 5, 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

CONTACT:

Shawn Uhlman, PDC 503-823-7994 Brendan Finn Commissioner Saltzman's office 503-823-3110

Report On Green Building Products And Services Shows Economic Promise For Region

Significant opportunity exists for the development of the green building industry in Portland as an economic driver, according to a report released today by the Portland Development Commission and the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development.

“Economic Opportunities for Portland’s Green Building Industry,” prepared by Cogan Owens Cogan and Sera Architects, identifies green building products, services and systems that could provide economic benefits for the city and state.

"Portland is known for pushing the envelope in its green building, and this report lays out how we can continue to do just that.  As we expand our green building program, not only will our citizens benefit; our economy will too," said Commissioner Dan Saltzman.

A key goal of the report was to identify opportunities for import substitutions which could improve regional capacity and benefit the region economically.

“We know green building is good for the environment. Now this study adds to our understanding of green building as a positive business opportunity,” said Bruce Warner, executive director of the Portland Development Commission.

Leading local green building design teams provided interviews and input to the report and recommended several specific ways in which the city could facilitate and support green building, including financial incentives, regulatory systems that facilitate green building, and developing regional economic development alliances around specific product industries. The report notes an opportunistic link between Oregon’s traditional wood products industry and new initiatives related to the demand for certified wood products, modular construction and prefab materials.   

Design team members also called on both the City of Portland and PDC to place more emphasis on green building and sustainability and market Portland as a leader in these areas. 

The report is intended to stimulate discussion among green building and economic development professionals.   Follow-up is likely to include an examination of supply side opportunities, to address whether existing Oregon businesses can provide the products in demand, or the potential to recruit such businesses to the region.

The report is among a series of initiatives resulting from the ongoing collaboration between PDC and OSD, which involves research and activities to expand the regional sustainable industries cluster.  An additional study to be released later this fall by OSD, PDC and the Athena Institute will address current and proposed policies and regulations as well as information on the region’s sustainable industry and competitive strengths and weaknesses.

The full text of  “Economic Opportunities for Portland’s Green Building Industry” is available at www.pdc.us/sustainable.

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