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Portland has a diverse economy. In February 1995, Forbes Magazine named Portland as one of the nation's top five cities for nurturing competitive business – "A good quality of life, high immigration levels and computer smarts helped make this rainy town a winner. It's a town that is far better than most for a young company to be in, particularly if you plan to mine the rich markets of the Pacific Rim." The city's geographical location, combined with the care and pride with which its citizens and government proactively address issues concerning their city, make Portland one of the nation's most desirable communities in which to live and work. Portlanders have established a strong balance between private/entrepreneurial dreams and protecting the environment. METRO, the sole regional government in the United States with directly elected representatives, was established by metro area residents to ensure coordination and partnering among the region's jurisdictions in the areas of transportation, land use planning, solid waste management and regional facilities throughout the growing metropolitan area. Portland is situated in the heart of a vast and diverse recreational area encompassing mountains, beaches, forests, desert, lakes and rivers. Portland is a convenient point of departure for Pacific Ocean beaches, located 100 miles to the west, and the forested Cascade Mountains to the east. Among the snow-capped peaks is 11,235 foot Mount Hood, one of the world's most climbed mountains and home of the world famous Timberline Lodge, 60 miles from Portland. On a clear day from a site just west of Portland, one can take advantage of magestic views of Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Rainer and Mount St. Helens to the East. The Columbia River Gorge lies thirty minutes to the east, and attracts wind surfers from around the world to train and compete. Portland is a community rich in cultural and ethnic diversity as well as environmental attributes. Diversity is valued by citizens of Portland, as evidenced by many festivals and celebrations honoring the city's cultures. Portland is also known as the "City of Roses." The Rose Festival is Portland's foremost annual event. Highlights of the 26-day June festival include the Grand Floral and Starlight parades, Waterfront Park Fun Festival, Dragon Boat Races, 200 Indy-style CART races and much more. Portland boasts one of the best park systems in the nation with 10,000 acres of park land in 206 locations, including the largest forested wilderness park within an American city. The 332-acre Washington Park, situated in the hills above downtown, features the International Rose Test Garden, the oldest in the country. The park is also is the site of the Washington Park Zoo, Japanese Gardens, Western Forestry Center, Oregon Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial and Hoyt Arboretum. Sports enthusiasts can choose from among our professional and semi-professional sports teams. The NBA Portland Trail Blazers in the new 20,000 seat Rose Garden arena opened the fall of 1995 are a popular option. The Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League draw a steady crowd of fans. Watching the Portland Beavers, the Single A Division Team of professional baseball's San Diego are a perfect way to spend a late summer afternoon. Portland International Raceway hosts Indy-type CART races in which some of the world's top drivers annually compete. The Fred Meyer Challenge annually hosts professional golfers and celebrities from around the country; and numerous running events are held throughout the year, including the Portland Marathon. Arts and cultural opportunities abound in Portland. Arts Plan 2000+ was issued in 1992 following an extensive planning and outreach process. The Portland Center for Performing Arts is home to the nationally recognized Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theater, Portland Center Stage (Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Portland) and the Oregon Children's Theater. Museums are plentiful downtown with the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. These are just a few of Portland's wonderful cultural offerings. Numerous galleries showcasing the works of Northwest artists are found downtown in the Pearl District. The first Thursday of every month will find the local galleries hosting open premiers of their new showings. The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) provides public transportation in the Portland metropolitan area. Tri-Met was named the "Best Large Transit Agency in North America" in 1989 by the American Public Transit Association. MAX, a 15 mile light rail system, began in 1986 with eastbound service connecting downtown Portland with the suburb of Gresham. Construction has now been completed on Westside MAX. The new Westside light rail line services downtown Portland to the suburb of Hillsboro, connecting our financial center to the “Silicon Forest." A new north/south line was approved by voters in November 1994. This new line will services Clackamas to downown Portland, and downtown Portland to Jantzen Beach and the Portland Airport. Portland primary and secondary schools provide high quality education. Oregon schools have ranked first in SAT scores since 1991 among states in which at least forty percent of students took the tests. Ninety percent of Portland families send their children to public schools. Higher education opportunities abound with 25 public and private colleges and universities in the Portland region. Portland State University (PSU) is Oregon's urban university, encompassing 26 blocks adjacent to the downtown business and commercial district. Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) is Oregon's only academic institution dedicated to educating physicians, dentists, nurses, health professionals and biomedical researchers. The University of Oregon and Oregon State University are within a two-hour drive of the Portland area. Portland International Airport is just 15 minutes from downtown. It is owned and operated by the Port of Portland and is one of the nation's fastest growing airports. Capital expansion of the airport is projected to be completed by the year 2002. Due to its proximity to the Pacific Rim, Portland has become a central hub for imports, exports and travel. www.oregonlive.com |
