Economic Recovery Underway

Press Release

Highlighting the 16,000 jobs created in Oregon in just the first four months of 2011, Governor Kitzhaber today declared the state's economic recovery is underway and outlined strategies to accelerate job growth and business investment. He called for legislative action on key policy and budget priorities in a news conference with Oregon business and labor leaders.

"This is good news," said Governor Kitzhaber. "Although we have a long way to go, our economic recovery is underway. We have an opportunity this legislative session to build on our strong start creating family wage jobs, attracting new investment and revitalizing hard hit communities. I urge the legislature to pass my Jobs and Economy Agenda to get Oregonians back to work."

The Governor was joined by representatives of the Oregon Business Council, Associated Oregon Industries, Oregon Business Association, Portland Business Association and AFL-CIO, along with Tamara Scott, an Oregonian who had lost her job due to the recession and is newly employed, after earning a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), which the Governor helped get started when he came into office.

Among the indicators cited as evidence of Oregon's economic recovery: the state has the 7th fastest job growth in the nation based on the most recent year-over-year data. The Governor also touted Oregon's AA+ credit rating; private investment in new plants, upgrades and acquisitions from a range of advanced manufacturing companies; and the successful launch of the NCRC program in Oregon with over 2,500 unemployed Oregonians gaining career readiness certification for high demand jobs.

"Oregon is a great place to do business," said Governor Kitzhaber. "With a continued focus on education and training, proven job creation strategies and investment in innovation, we will build a prosperous future for Oregon."

The Governor's Jobs and Economy Agenda includes 15 policy and budget priorities. Highlights include:

* Funding the Oregon Innovation Council, the Credit Enhancement Fund and the Strategic Reserve Fund;
* Boosting economic activity in rural communities by engaging in local forest collaboratives and supporting Oregon's emerging biomass energy industry;
* Passing Senate Bill 766 to speed permitting on significant industrial areas;
* Passing House Bill 2960, the "Cool Schools Initiative" to upgrade inefficient school buildings;
* Funding targeted tax incentives for film and video production and clean energy that attract significant private investment and new jobs.

For the full agenda and additional materials: http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/priorities/oregon_jobs.shtml

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