I’m taking on the role of the economic development director for
Portland, OR. Portland has become known
as the mecca for conservation, sustainability, and alternative energy research
and investment. The city offers a lot of
potential for businesses that are geared towards and focused towards
sustainability and green efforts. An
example is given of this in the video with the industry of active wear and how
Portland has become a hub for the industry because it banks on the lifestyle,
culture, and values of the Portland population. I don’t think I would put together any
proposal to entice new businesses to the Portland area. Instead, I would focus efforts on bringing in
more business to the businesses that already exist. I would maybe instead propose an idea of
making an entire neighborhood, including the homes and surrounding businesses,
a sustainable and “green” community in hopes of attracting new residents to not
only that area, but to all of Portland.
My hope is that as more and more attention is given to the issue of
sustainability, more and more people will make it a priority in regards to
where they live and will therefore, see Portland as the sort of center for this
kind of lifestyle. This proposal idea
would also instead invest time and money into renewing, upgrading and
supporting the small local businesses that already exist and give new life into
existing neighborhoods.
I think the HOPE IV Program is a positive program to help revive
communities. Based on the video, the
program brings a lot of people together and makes strong residential
connections. People within the community
are brought together and joined by a common goal of improving the conditions of
their neighborhood and quality of life, which can be a very powerful thing. Also, it brings in connections among big
businesses, corporations and investors who are looking to provide funds and
invest in the newly renovated area. If I
felt a majority of my residents would benefit and want the HOPE IV Program to
come into their neighborhood, then I would for sure apply for the grant.
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