Problem

Growth can’t be taken for granted. With Portland in a time of transformation, it was time to level-set and create a future-minded plan with deep engagement and community and private-sector partnerships. In recent decades, the city experienced steady growth, strong employment in knowledge occupations, and an influx of highly educated talent. But today, Portland’s job growth, business growth, and household income lag the region even as home prices soar. And, for the first time in 40 years, our population declined.

Solution

With a collaborative strategy for the city in the works, we started with a comprehensive assessment that revealed short- and long-term challenges, including insufficient business and housing growth significantly impacting Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color (BIPOC) communities, the Central City, and East Portland. And what we found needed urgent interventions.

Through our Ethnographic Research, Audience Inclusivity, Strategy Development, and Community/Public Engagement services, we developed a strategic communications strategy and designed and hosted a spectrum of engagement activities from project briefings and focus groups to in-depth interviews with subject-matter experts to ensure the community’s input truly shaped the development of forward-looking economic development goals, objectives, and strategies for Advance Portland.

Results

Our work has raised awareness and solicited strategic direction from Advance Portland’s Steering Committee and over 300 Portland residents—from community members to land use planners, small business owners, and policymakers. A website was designed and built, presenting a clear, encouraging, and focused call to help reshape and rebuild Portland into the city we all envision it to be in the next 5 years and beyond.