Tualatin’s economy, 2018 in review

On February 25th, Jonathan Taylor, City of Tualatin Economic Development Manager, gave The 2018 City of Tualatin Economic Development Annual Report. The report highlighted targeted economic development accomplishments and programs that met the Tualatin City Council’s 2030 Vision of “an expanded tax base built on attracting targeted business clusters that enhance our community, provide family wage jobs, and sustain out financial stability.”

The Economic Development Division is the primary face of the City of Tualatin to our business community, and the division’s work is to promote, develop, and assist with opportunities for business and entrepreneurial development. The program’s work and investment are guided by the Economic Development Action Plan 2014 Update. This plan is the third update (1989, 2001, 2014) of the Economic Development Strategic Plan of 1984 and an added strategy in implementing Tualatin Tomorrow’s Vision Plan of facilitating economic opportunities. The 2014 Update focuses on the economic development program's strategies: (1) business retention, expansion, and recruitment, and (2) business climate and competitive positioning.

Strategy 1: Business Retention, Expansion, and Recruitment

Focuses on “retaining and cultivating growth of existing businesses, as well as attracting new employers.” Key components of Strategy 1 includes a business visitation program, assisting with site readiness, focus on filling existing buildings, targeting key industries, and marketing Tualatin’s Assets.

Highlights: 

• 8 site visits
• CoStar Implementation
• Ground Breaking (Franklin Park III)
• New Industry Cluster Update
• 4 Requests for Information (Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Food Processing, and Distribution.)
• Opportunity Zone Designation

Strategy 2: Business Climate and Competitive Positioning 

Strives in “creating and maintaining a positive climate for businesses.” Identifying code changes, collaborating regionally, and assisting business startups are the identified components for this second strategy.

Highlights:

• Code Modernization – Tualatin Development Code Improvement Project Phase 1
• Greater Portland Technology Challenge
• Greater Portland Inc. Certified Ambassador
• Two Occupational Analysis
• Numerous Business Interactions (Westside Economic Alliance, Tualatin Chamber of Commerce, Business Oregon)

Our regional and state partners have also contributed to Tualatin’s economic development success. In 2018, Greater Portland Inc, the regional economic development recruitment agency, convened 12 Small Cities Consortium meetings in Tualatin; 26 of the 41 Portland Metro business recruitment projects actively considered Tualatin; and between 2014-2017, Greater Portland Inc. helped recruit three companies to Tualatin employing nearly 75 individuals. Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, awarded over $70,000 in state trade, export, and capital access financing and grant programs to local small businesses for start-up and entering new international markets.

For the official presentation or economic development questions, please contact Jonathan Taylor, Economic Development Manager at jtaylor@tualatin.gov.