NED Group Holds Annual Retreat; Announces New Members

Contact: Shawn Uhlman, PDC, 503-823-7994

September 27, 2013

On Friday, Sept. 27, the Neighborhood Economic Development (NED) Leadership Group will hold its annual retreat. Among the topics the group will focus on are strategic planning, identification of key challenges for 2013-14 and welcoming newly appointed members.

Since its creation in late 2011, the NED Leadership Group has worked on a range of issues including assisting in the creation of an equity lens to guide PDC investment, the development of a new strategy for commercial corridor investment and providing insight and recommendations on the City of Portland 2013-14 budget investments in support of the Neighborhood Economic Development Strategy.

“Our goal with the NED Leadership Group was to create a diverse committee composed of community and business representatives who brought expertise in areas like business ownership, workforce development, finance, small business development, or redevelopment – as well as a passion for Portland,” said PDC Executive Director Patrick Quinton. “Their partnership and support on neighborhood economic development goals thus far has been invaluable.”

In June 2013 PDC staff recommended that the NED Leadership Group be augmented to include additional representatives from the existing neighborhood Urban Renewal Areas in northeast and outer east Portland. A city-wide call for nominations for new members went out in August. By the time the application process closed on Sept. 3, more than 40 nominations had been submitted. A nominating committee subsequently recommended the new members be added to the leadership group. See full roster below.

“As a resident and supporter of East Portland, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of serving on this group,” said Annette Mattson. “I’m optimistic we can play a key role in advancing the Lents neighborhood and East Portland.”

“I’m honored to serve on the NED Leadership Group on behalf of the Urban League of Portland,” said Michael Alexander. “I’m eager to work with other city-wide leaders to close the equity gaps in North/Northeast and East Portland and work to create opportunities for all Portlanders.”

Background

In May 2011, the Portland City Council adopted the NED Strategy which articulates how community partners, business leadership and public partners can use focused neighborhood-level actions to collectively foster economic opportunity and neighborhood vitality throughout Portland.

The role of the NED Leadership Group is to inform and demonstrate community-driven neighborhood economic development. The broad charge of the NED Leadership Group is to guide the implementation of the NED Strategy and to develop resources for the strategy’s actions.