Gresham City Council OKs investment zone

Officials try to draw development to area

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Dec 3, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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Mayor Shane Bemis said this is an encouraging development for the city’s business climate.

“The value of creating this tool can’t be underestimated,” he said. “The types of companies attracted by the zone have a high level of capital investment, they provide needed employment for our local workforce at generally higher than average wages and they have a positive ripple effect through the local economy.”

Gresham entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Multnomah County to create the zone, based on state law that requires a county where a zone would be located to request permission to create a zone from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission. The zone request will now go to the commission for final approval.

Ted Wheeler, county chairman, praised the development.

“With the enormous economic challenges we’re facing, it’s crucial that we actively support every economic development opportunity we can,” he said. “We can play a vital collaborative role in encouraging business development and creating a climate for good jobs. The creation of Gresham’s Strategic Investment Zone is good policy and good business for both the county and the city.”

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