Portland State’s economic future

Editors note: The Vanguard distilled a 36-page document from the President’s Office, called the University Economic Development Strategy, into the following story. Further analysis from key decision makers and any potential impact on students will be reported in the coming weeks.

According to the University Economic Development Strategy (UEDS), Portland State leaders aim to better align the activities of the school with the economic development goals and actions of the Portland metropolitan region, particularly those of the City of Portland and the Portland Development Commission.

Themes in the strategy
New strategies are planned in such a way to help implement the five guiding themes for the university set by President Wim Wiewel’s administration.
– Civic leadership through partnership
– Student success
– Achieve global excellence
– Enhance educational opportunity
– Expand resources and improve effectiveness

Current situation
Between 2007 and 2009, the School of Extended Studies provided workforce and professional development to 6,312 individuals, 1,727 companies, 199 government agencies and 110 health-related organizations.

Since 2000, PSU has acquired more than 1 million square feet of new space and has plans for $300 million of new capital investment by 2012.

The university’s economic impact on the Portland regional economy (2007′-08) is:
– $403M as an employer
– $410M as a purchaser
– $89M as a researcher
– $122M as an urban developer
– $48M as a workforce developer
– $25M as a community partner
– $7M as a business accelerator
– $1M as an expert advisor

Total impact: $1.11B
PSU’s total research expenditures for 2008′-09 exceeded $52 million. Of that number, $18.8 million funded research in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and $7.3 million went to the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Strategic Links

The new investment strategy is closely linked to two key plans: the City of Portland’s Economic Development Strategy and the University District Framework Plan. The Plan for Promoting Economic Growth and Job Creation was completed in 2009 and is now being implemented.

Coordinated implementation of these plans will ensure the efficient use of City of Portland and PSU resources, and lead to the best possible outcome for city residents and PSU, faculty and staff, according to the UEDS.

Industry

One of the stated goals of the plan is to grow traded sector jobs through the implementation of a cluster strategy targeting four industries. PSU’s programs and research activities will support the city’s four clusters plus the emerging biosciences cluster.

The five clusters are:
– Clean tech and sustainable industries
– Active wear and design
– Software
– Advanced manufacturing
– Biosciences

University enrollment is expected to increase substantially over the coming decades. To accommodate an anticipated enrollment of 36,000 students over the next 25 years, the University District Framework Plan proposes to focus on mission-supporting PSU uses in the University District core.

Overview of investment strategies, issue and expected outcomes

1. Connecting with partners:

In order to connect with partners, a new office headed by the vice president for research and partnerships is to be formed, which will evaluate existing policies and create new policies and tools for economic development.

Results expected

– The vice president will work with PSU’s leadership to assure alignment of the university’s research and other programs with regional economic development strategies. PSU will also work with its faculty, public agencies and private partners to expand research capacity and resources
– The vice president communicates internally with researchers and administrators at PSU about new programs and activities, and externally with public and private partners to understand their needs and connect them to appropriate Portland State programs, research efforts and activities

2. Alignment with regional economic development goals:

To align with regional economic development goals, PSU plans to align academic plans and research efforts with growing and emerging economic clusters, and to expand partnerships with Oregon Health & Science University and other institutions of higher education.

Results expected

– For PSU, implementing this action will provide support from regional private and public entities that benefit from PSU’s specialized tracks, such as financial underwriting of programs and contracts for PSU services
– It is also expected to assist the university as it pursues grants and other funding for programs, and increase the number of PSU graduates with leadership positions in growth clusters
– A solidified international leadership position capable of implementing sustainable regional economic growth through partnerships
– Implementing this plan will also help public and private sectors through specialized academic tracks that meet the needs of targeted and emerging economic clusters, and yield greater availability of highly educated graduates qualified for positions in companies and agencies throughout the region and nation

3. Campus planning and development partnerships:

For improved campus planning and development partnerships, PSU plans for an updated university district, called an EcoDistrict, a new urban renewal area (URA) and to create a more sustainably built environment.

Results expected

– For PSU, implementing this action will provide a new West Side URA that recognizes and supports PSU’s ability to further develop a vibrant, mixed-use university environment and expand its role in advancing regional economic growth through strategic tax increment allocations in support of capital projects
– This plan is also expected to create an opportunity for expanded partnerships with the private sector as PSU builds additional facilities to host a mix of tax-generating uses
– An updated University District Plan that reflects current PSU needs in its code language and boundaries, and enables PSU to more effectively secure support and funding from the Oregon University System
– It will create an opportunity for PSU to collaborate with public and private partners to finance critical university developments, secure control of future development sites and co-locate in facilities to help to reduce development and operating costs
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