Opinion: A united front from Portland and Seattle business groups to ‘build back better’

Andrew Hoan and Rachel Smith

Hoan is President and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance. Smith is President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

A year ago, amid a spate of COVID-19 cases, companies in Portland and Seattle struggled to keep our doors open, support our employees, and provide hope and help to those in need due to the pandemic.

Then President Trump issued orders to review federal funding cuts for Portland and Seattle on the grounds that we were “lawless” and “anarchist” jurisdictions.

By lumping our two cities together, the President has unwittingly helped forge a new alliance between two West Coast economic powers. Our two organizations have come together to advocate a common federal agenda that supports the needs of the urban centers of the Pacific Northwest.

We believe it is more important than ever to work together towards our common goals.

National political leaders and the media tend to focus on the East Coast or California. But they miss the advances that are well advanced in the Pacific Northwest.

Portland and Seattle are at the forefront of change in the global economy. Our small and large companies represent a diverse portfolio of economic drivers, from technology and retail to aerospace and the outdoor economy. We are working to build the inclusive economy of the future.

With a new president, a new Congress, and a new mandate to invest heavily in a strong recovery, leaders would be crazy not to look to the Pacific Northwest to invest in America’s future. To seize this moment, our cities have worked together to set several priorities for federal action that will have far-reaching implications for our region and the whole country.

Seattle and Portland are the centers of a regional network of economic movement that depends on a modern and functioning transport system. Our two regional economies have great needs for infrastructure and facilities that depend on bridges being replaced.

Portland needs a replacement for the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River and Seattle needs repair of the West Seattle Bridge as these crumbling pieces of infrastructure are in dire need of repair. Each provides an important economic and social connection. Each requires a substantial new investment by the federal government in a comprehensive national infrastructure package.

Our regional economy is also being held back by affordability and the challenges of housing. Cities in the Pacific Northwest are often among the worst in the country for the percentage of the total population that is homeless. Together, we call on Congress to expand programs and funding for low-income housing and support services to help the homeless.

We also recognize that it takes a fairer and more inclusive economy to emerge stronger and better from the downturn. Raphael Bostic, chairman of the Atlanta Federal Reserve, put it most clearly: “Commitment to an inclusive society means commitment to an inclusive economy.”

We stand by this clear call and appeal to Congress to promote racial equality initiatives. The passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crime Act in response to the increase in violence against Asian Americans was an important step in fighting xenophobia and discrimination in America. We also urge Congress to support the development of more targeted resources, accessibility and technical assistance for minority owned businesses and colored entrepreneurs.

Both cities also need federal leadership abroad to expand trade access and domestically rebuild our neighborhoods and business districts to support long-term economic recovery.

A year ago, in the midst of our greatest challenge in recent history, President Trump was actively working against Portland and Seattle. Now we are united in calling for President Biden and Congress to prioritize the Pacific Northwest so America can truly build better.

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