Friday, September 4, 2020
News & Notes
WEA to stay neutral on Get Moving 2020 measure
   The WEA Board of Directors met this week to have a robust discussion on Metro's Get Moving 2020 measure, which will go to voters in November.
   Frank Angelo, WEA's Transportation Committee chair, along with Mimi Doukas, WEA's Land Use & Housing Committee chair, and Ed Trompke, WEA's Government Relations Committee chair, gave the Board a summary of the joint committee meeting held earlier in August, providing both the pros and cons to the $5 billion regional transportation measure, which will be funded through a payroll tax.
   The WEA Board members asked a number of questions and raised some concerns about it.
   After a lengthy discussion, it was decided it would be best for the organization to stay neutral on the measure, given that WEA has members on both sides of the argument.
Virtual forum to talk economic forecast and new data points
   The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis' Josh Lehner has agreed to come back to the WEA virtual forum stage to provide an economic update.
   Lehner and his state economist colleagues will be delivering their quarterly forecast on September 23, and Lehner will address WEA members and guests the next morning.
   The Office of Economic Analysis team has recently been looking at data points that they don't normally share in their reports, such as mobility and travel, COVID-19 testing and cases, unemployment claims, new business formations, people eating out, and more.
   Lehner will share his insight into the numbers with WEA on Thursday, September 24 at 8:00 a.m.
   To register, click here.
Local employment numbers still not looking healthy
   Oregon Employment Department Workforce Analyst Brandon Schrader released his monthly report for Washington County this week, and he said it’s a mixed bag of economic information.
   Schrader said the local economy is continuing to recover, but the employment gains have slowed down and remain well below 2019 levels.
   The unemployment rate for Washington County slipped to 9.2% in July - compared with 3.1% 12 months ago.
   Schrader said the number of people unemployed in Washington County is on course with the Great Recession high of 29,300 individuals (the current rate is just under 29,000).
   Workforce Analyst and Economist Lynn Wallis said Clackamas County has added back a net total of 2,300 or 12% of the jobs lost since the pandemic began. 
   Clackamas County's unemployment rate is at 9.9%.
   To see more, please turn to Wallis' report for Clackamas County and/or Schrader's report for Washington County.
Even a pandemic doesn't stop the Westside Golf Scramble
   WEA wants to thank all of the sponsors, participants, and volunteers who showed up in support of the organization last Friday at The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club.
   The Westside Golf Scramble is WEA's only annual fundraiser, and it's been around longer than WEA.
   This was the 34th year of the tournament, which started with the Sunset Corridor Association in 1986 - WEA was formed as a merger between the Sunset Corridor Association and the Tualatin Valley Economic Development Corporation in 1998.
   "It was a beautiful day, and everyone seemed to enjoy seeing others in-person, while socially distancing. We are grateful for all of the support we have received. It's not easy hosting a fundraising event during these challenging times, but it was great to see people come together," said Marketing & Communications Manager Teresa Dunham.
   To see photos of the tournament, please visit the WEA Facebook page.
Odds & Ends
  • Congratulations to Intel on its launch of its next-generation mobile PC processors. The new 11th Gen Intel Core processors with Intel Iris Xe graphics (code-named “Tiger Lake”) are said to be the world’s best processors for thin-and-light laptops with unmatched capabilities for real-world productivity, collaboration, creation, gaming and entertainment across Windows and ChromeOS-based laptops. To read more, click here.

  • The City of Tigard will soon be looking for a new city manager, and it would like the community's input about it. To see the city's survey, click here.

  • Sherwood is looking for feedback on its comp plan. Click here for more information.

  • TriMet is taking a survey about security and public safety. Click here to learn more.

  • If you're looking to get outside and exercise, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District is offering free fitness in the park classes right now through the end of October. Click here for more information.

  • Have a safe Labor Day weekend!
Events coming up
Wed. 9/9 at 7:30 a.m. Transportation Committee Canceled

Wed. 9/16 at 12:00 p.m. the Land Use & Housing Committee will meet virtually.

Wed. 9/23 at 7:30 a.m. the WEA Board of Directors will meet virually.

Th. 9/24 at 8:00 a.m. a virtual forum with Economist Josh Lehner. To register

To see more of the WEA calendar, please visit the WEA website.