ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PORTS DISCUSSED WITH VANCOUVER COMMISSION (4/10/07)

For Immediate Release

VANCOUVER, Wash.-The Ports of Vancouver USA and Portland presented their economic impact to the Commissioners of the Port of Vancouver today, highlighting jobs and the impact the two ports have on the regional economy.

The study, completed by Martin Associates for the ports, highlights:

• The Ports of Vancouver and Portland provide 10 percent of all manufacturing jobs in Clark, Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties.
• Clark County provides the second most employees for port marine and industrial activities in the metropolitan area – behind only Multnomah County.

The economic impact of the Vancouver and Portland harbors is truly jobs. In Vancouver harbor alone, there are 1,185 direct jobs provided because of the Port of Vancouver. When induced and indirect jobs are added, the total number of family-wage jobs created by the Port of Vancouver jumps to 3,408. Port of Portland employs a total of 19,037 in its harbor. The Port of Vancouver also provides 1,084 direct, 591 induced and 830 indirect jobs in industrial activities. Those jobs add up to a total of $102 million in personal income. There are a total of 5,913 marine and industrial jobs at the Port of Vancouver.

On the level of personal income, the numbers are even more impressive. Direct jobs at the Port of Vancouver equal a total personal income of nearly $65.5 million. When induced and indirect jobs are added in, the Port of Vancouver’s impact totals more than $285 million in personal income. The two ports combined create more than $1.7 billion in personal income for employees, just in the harbors.

When Portland International Airport (owned and operated by Port of Portland) becomes a part of the mix, with marine and industrial jobs, the total personal income totals more than $3.5 billion, from 81,316 jobs to the metropolitan economy.
The economic impact is expected to grow. Based on industrial trends, the ports stand to continue their importance as job and revenue generators.

This study was funded in a cooperative effort of the Port of Vancouver USA and the Port of Portland.

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The Port of Vancouver, USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

- POV -