Local Economy

Local Economy

I had the opportunity to meet Jerry Oliver one of the Port of Vancouver Commissioners, and he confirmed what I already knew, there are currently NO facilities with 100,000 square feet of space available for lease inside the city.  To increase available high paying jobs, we need space for larger business to move into.  Instead the focus has been residential land infill and light industrial retail space to be developed.   Higher paying jobs are in corporations with call centers distribution channels, not checkout isles or stocking shelves.  I believe in the build it and they will come approach.  If the City wants to focus on infill, how many jobs could be created constructing corporate centers, and then long term jobs to fill them.  Washington has great tax laws, and Vancouver should be able to easily show even Oregon corporations that moving north offers a 10% pay raise.

The Port has a 108 acre project being developed, but only one company that is taking aim to develop one of the 5 spaces.  I understand the Port of Vancouver gets 10 Million dollars per year from Clark County Property tax, but they have all the space in the world to build corporate centers and be profitable on their own.  In my opinion those 5 spaces making up the 108 acres should already be spoken for and being developed.  But that is me wearing my optimistic sales hat.  Current national economic conditions might suggest otherwise, but promoting Washington tax laws to big businesses who want to be on the west coast should raise attention.

Vancouver seems to have a lower standard of living than the rest of Washington.  Lower income per capita by 6.6% than the Washington average and about equal to the National average.  Unemployment tops 8%, and probably much higher if all factors like those that stopped claiming benefits or those that are taking advantage of the system and handouts available from Medicare and Disability.  I only say that because I have had the misfortune to meet a couple people taking advantage of the system, collecting disability due to Asthma, but bowling 6 nights per week.   Interesting right, they should be able to handle a desk job…