Tickets to each event are sold separately. If you are planning on purchasing tickets to both events, please contact Jackie Fitzner at [email protected] for a $10 off discount code!
Part I: The Portland Region’s Economic Recovery: Who is benefiting and who is being left behind?
Friday, October 14th
Christian Kaylor, Oregon Employment Department
Sheila Martin, Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, PSU
Jason Jurjevich, Population Research Center, PSU
Alma Flores, Community and Economic Development Director at City of Milwaukie & IMS Board Member at PSU
Moderator: Lynn Valenter, Vice-Chancellor, WSU-Vancouver and chair-elect of the IMS Board at Portland State University
With over 1.8 million jobs, the region’s economy has added an additional 100 thousand jobs over the pre-recession peak. Unemployment rates have reached pre-recession lows, and wages for the highest paid workers are growing. However, even adjusted for inflation, the median wage is stagnant, and the real wages of the lowest 10 percent of workers has fallen. Meanwhile, unemployment is still stubbornly high among people of color and those with lower levels of education.
Who are the workers who are being left behind in today’s regional economy? What is driving the continuing increase in wage and income inequality? And how is this inequality affecting our region’s economy and its demographics?
Join us as we present what we know about the winners and losers of the current recovery, and discuss what factors could influence income and wage trends in the future.
Part II: The Portland Economic Forecast & Trends: Where will the Portland economy be in 2025?
Monday, October 17th
Amy VanderVliet, Oregon Employment Department
Josh Lehner, Oregon Office of Economic Analysis
Tom Potiowsky, Portland State University & Northwest Economic Research Center
The Portland region is nationally recognized as an economic growth engine. New jobs, new construction and new migrants are transforming the region. Will the growth continue, or will the tide change in the near future?
Come listen to three local economic forecasters discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy. We will be exploring the most significant changes occurring in the region and presenting what we see in the future for the Portland economy.
This event is open to the community and is in partnership with PSU's Institute of Metropolitan Studies.
Refreshments/continental breakfast included in cost of admission.
Both events will take place in the Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center. Below is the program agenda for Part I & Part II:
7:15 am: Registration & Breakfast (breakfast included in price of admission)
7:45 am: Panel Discussion Begins
9:00 am: Event Concludes
This event is part of Portland State of Mind. For other events during PSOM, please see the full calendar list.