If you live in Washington, chances are that most of what you eat, wear and use came through a Washington port. There are 75 port districts located in our state, and because of the work they do, Washington's products share a single market: the world. In 1911, the state legislature authorized the Port District Act, allowing citizens to create port districts. Since that time, Washington State has grown to be the most trade-dependent in the union. And that trade activity is responsible for one in every four jobs in Washington.
The Washington Public Ports Association held a Trade & Economic Development Seminar on September 17-18, 2009 in Walla Walla. Representative Norma Smith, Commissioner Connie Bacon of the Port of Tacoma and Egils Milbergs, executive director of the Washington Economic Development Commission led off the seminar in a panel discussion entitled: What is the Innovation Economy and where do the ports fit in?
Egils Milbergs noted in his opening remarks: “More and more Washingtonians are coming to the view that we cannot wait for a national recovery. We need an economic reset and a new model of growth—not based on consumer debt and spending but on innovation, investment and productivity. A time of crisis is the best time to examine the fundamentals, set new directions, make necessary changes, and transform our fortunes. At the root of our growing unemployment problem and budget deficit is a growth deficit. To grow our economy and create jobs we need to do some new and different things very well. Washington State is positioned to benefit from the unprecedented global economic recovery that is underway.”
For a complete presentation slide deck Download Milbergs Ports Association Presentation Walla Walla Sept 16 2009 FINAL 1 0
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