Media Release

May 17, 2010

Metro-area collaboration will promote wind industry expertise at world's largest wind power event

A team of Portland and Vancouver-area businesses and public officials will carry a unified regional message to the world’s largest wind power event next month, when they attend Windpower 2010, to be held in Dallas, Texas May 23-26.

The collaboration has two key goals: to develop regional networking among wind industry suppliers; and to generate leads for the region’s wind industry expertise and supply chain at the Windpower show.

The Pacific Northwest Wind Team, composed of wind supply chain companies from the cities of Vancouver, Portland and Gresham, and Clackamas County, will emphasize the metropolitan area’s advantages and expertise in wind industry manufacturing and supply.

The Pacific Northwest region presents unique opportunities for the manufacturing and servicing of wind turbines and their components.   The area’s thriving clean tech industry, with its expertise in both sustainability and advanced manufacturing, is well-positioned to respond to both urban and rural needs, and provides a solid foundation for services and supply to wind-related projects.  The region also boasts an optimum location, with rail and barge capabilities running east and west to the Columbia River Gorge; its longstanding history of metal manufacturing for aerospace and transportation equipment has created a top-quality workforce trained to meet exacting standards.

The Windpower trade show is the largest such event in the world, with an expected attendance of 23,000 industry representatives, and 1,300 exhibitors. The Pacific Northwest team will have an exhibit booth at the event and will also host a reception on May 25, using the theme: Pacific Northwest Wind Team, Your Supplier Connection.

The event and partnership is sponsored by Business Oregon, the Portland Development Commission, Portland General Electric, City of Gresham, Columbia River Economic Development Council and West Columbia Gorge in partnership with the Columbia Gorge Bi-State Renewable Energy Zone.  Private sector participants include Vigor Industrial, Stack Metallurgical Services, Inc., Hydra-Power Systems and Premier Gear, all of Portland;  Miles Fiberglass, Clackamas County; Energetic Drives, Gresham; and JH Kelly, Columbia Machine, and  Renewable Energy Composite Solutions, all of Vancouver.

The collaboration is also providing participating companies with marketing assistance to help them emphasize their competitive advantages for the wind industry. Programs include pre-arranged appointments with potential customers at the Windpower event; the Connectory, a regional database of manufacturers sponsored by Business Oregon; and MarketLink, a joint effort between the Portland-Vancouver Regional Partners and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help grow businesses in the Portland metropolitan region. The MarketLink program helps businesses to identify market opportunities, expand their customer base, research industry developments and develop new products.

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PDC was created by Portland voters in 1958 to serve as the city’s urban renewal agency as laid out in Chapter 15 of the City’s Charter. PDC provides comprehensive housing, development and economic development programs within the Portland region.

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