Todd Shimkus on Hillsboro, Oregon*

1960's and 1970's, the community came together and decided that it did not want to become a bedroom community for Portland. To succeed, they needed to establish their own economic identity and a plan for the future.



The first comprehensive plan was approved in 1978. One key to this plan is that it set aside large tracts of land and zoned them exclusively for industrial use. The goal was a better than 20 year supply of industrial land.

Besides a vision and a comprehensive plan, they've also clearly found a way to get everyone to work cooperatively. Top executives from Intel, Sun, FEI Company, and TriQuint with whom we met, all mentioned that Hillsboro's regional water system was a key component of what attracted them to this region. Matt Fuller, a partner with Fitzgerald, Morris, Baker & Firth, and the chair of the ARCC's Washington County Business Council was very impressed with this level of cooperation and vision.
Besides a series of meetings, the delegation toured the City's Civic Center. We toured the Pacific University's new downtown campus. We crossed the light rail system on which Hillsboro is the final destination coming out of Portland.

Photo of the group at the Light Rail, taken by Todd Shimkus.


We toured the City's Cultural Arts Center.
We ended our evening by attending the community's Vision 2020 Town Hall meeting. This annual meeting allows the community to come together to see the progress that's been made by each organization involved in actually getting things done. Besides our delegation, there was a delegation from Calgary visiting the City and attending this town meeting.

Today, we'll meet with local school officials; educators at the local community college; real estate and housing experts; and take a tour of Sun Microsystems.


*Check back later this week as we continue to report on the trip to Oregon.
Visit for clips featuring Kathryn Harrington, Metro Councillor, as well as Mayor Tom Hughes on Vision 2020. For local flavor we'll share video of Matt Fuller after a presentation by executives from Intel, Sun, FEI Company, and TriQuint corporations.