WHY ATHLETIC & OUTDOOR?
- Portland firms are internationally renowned for their design talent and innovation.
- Heritage firms have provided a strong talent pool and nurturing environment to expanding/start-companies.
- Portland’s reputation as a design center allows local talent to export their skills globally.
| ATHLETIC & OUTDOOR CLUSTER EMPLOYMENT SNAPSHOT | |
|---|---|
| Total Statewide Employment (OR) | 14,000 |
| Average Annual Wages | $80,000 + |
| Annual Payroll | $1.2 billion |
| Number of Firms | 700 |
| Number of Self-Employed | 3200 |
| Sales revenues of Self-Employed | $95 million |
| Portland Share of Regional Employment | 90% |
WHAT DOES THIS CLUSTER CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY?
- More than any other cluster PDC focuses on, the firms and entrepreneurs within these clusters have made Portland a force to be reckoned with in the Athletic & Outdoor world for the last thirty years.
- Cluster companies and entrepreneurs have global ties that provide pathways for exporting local expertise, recruiting skilled workers, sourcing and nurturing innovation domestically and globally.
- In addition to workers that Athletic & Outdoor companies employ, there is a significant amount of additional economic activity generated by contractors and freelancers that provide services primarily to this cluster but who are self-employed in the Portland region.
- This cluster is instrumental in bringing young talent to the region – people drawn by Portland’s cool factor, affordability and live-work balance.
- This cluster is synergistic with Portland and Oregon’s unique environment offering a diversity of recreational opportunities, and residents who are passionate about their outdoor activities. People from outside Oregon visit for the range of outdoor recreational opportunities, bringing tourism resources to the city, region and state.
- Footwear Manufacturing and Bicycle Frame Building are both sectors that grew more than 70 percent between 2001 and 2006. Specialized Design grew more than 30 percent during that time.
TOP PDC INITIATIVES
| What is PDC doing? | Why? |
|---|---|
| Portland Center for Design & Innovation (PCDI) | Guided by an Advisory Committee of industry leaders representing architecture, design, higher ed, activewear and creative services, PDC facilitated the development of a business plan to determine if a materials resource library was feasible and economically sustainable. The business plan was completed in February 2010. PCDI hired an Executive Director as of Nov. 1 and received notice from the IRS on Oct. 18 that they are officially recognized as 501 (c) (3) organization. |
| Athletic & Outdoor Industry Cluster | Collaboration between the PDC, Oregon Business Development Department, Oregon Business Council, Portland State University, Impresa Economics, the University of Bern, and industry representatives resulted in the first ever comprehensive study of the athletic and outdoor industry. This study helped to inform an Action Plan for the industry. The study, action plan, executive report, and infographic were unveiled by the Mayor and industry executives to the public at an event on November 16, 2010. Implementation of the action plan will continue throughout 2010 and into 2012. |