Economy and Infrastructure

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Goal Statement

Hillsboro’s world-class economy, advanced technical training, and innovative, business-friendly culture attracts investments and supports businesses of all sizes. State of the art infrastructure systems including communications, roads, transit, and water supply are in place and continually updated to accommodate the city’s growth and evolution. Hillsboro is a vibrant, regional destination for arts, recreation, cuisine, and entertainment.

LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNERS

City of Hillsboro
Hillsboro Downtown Partnership
Hillsboro School District

Washington County Chamber
Westside Transportation Alliance

Oregon Department of Transportation
Port of Portland
Portland Community College
Portland Youth Builders
The Indus Enterprise
Washington County
Washington County Chamber
Westside Transportation Alliance Hillsboro Members

INITIATIVES AND ACTIONS

Initiative 1: Promote Hillsboro’s business-friendly culture and proactive workforce development initiatives.

ACTIONS

A. Share top local occupation and career pathway opportunities with students and community members
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2020-2025
STATUS: Implemented Ongoing

B. Create apprenticeship programs and local scholarship opportunities to facilitate workforce development and help fill employment gaps
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): Washington County Chamber
TIMELINE: 2020-2025
STATUS: Implemented Ongoing

C. Create or recruit specialty trade schools and/or establish a workforce training center in Hillsboro
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2020-2025
STATUS: Started

D. Launch an educational campaign to communicate the value and earning potential of vocational trades
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): Hillsboro School District
TIMELINE: 2020-2025
STATUS: Implemented Ongoing

E. Increase employment opportunities for U.S. veterans by encouraging business and public sector hiring
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): Washington County Chamber
TIMELINE: 2020-2025
STATUS: Implemented Ongoing

Initiative 2: Encourage and support the growth of emerging industries, small business, and the spirit of entrepreneurship.

ACTIONS

A. Develop resources to support entrepreneurship, start-ups and small businesses including mentoring and expertise from the business and education communities
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro, Washington County Chamber
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

B. Create a locally-focused capital network to invest in and promote entrepreneurship
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro, Washington County Chamber
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

C. Increase business ownership and prosperity for communities of color, with a focus on the black community, through proactive outreach, training, and support
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): Washington County Chamber
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

D. Create a patent resource center to attract industry and foster entrepreneurs
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2025+

E. Maintain and expand access to public data to help community members and investors understand Hillsboro conditions and opportunities
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

F. Grow a diverse workforce through outreach to women and minorities in partnership with local businesses
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

G. Establish a makerspace facility where students and emerging entrepreneurs can develop skills and launch new enterprises
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2025+

Initiative 3: Expand shopping, entertainment, and dining destinations.

ACTIONS

A. Develop a retail and restaurant strategy promoting development of locally-owned retail, high-end dining, breweries, wineries, food carts, and contemporary shopping citywide
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro, Washington County Chamber
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

B. Develop an entertainment and tourism strategy
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro, Washington County Chamber
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

C. Explore the feasibility of building and operating a full-service children’s museum including destination attractions and in-house preschool services
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2025+

D. Explore the feasibility of recruiting a destination attraction (i.e. amusement park)
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2025+

Initiative 4: Continue efforts to develop a vibrant, mixed-use downtown as a unique attraction.

ACTIONS

A. Enhance and promote unique Downtown districts by working to increase housing, foot-traffic and investment
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro, Hillsboro Downtown Partnership
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

B. Create walkable connections to Downtown from neighborhoods and Jackson Bottom Wetlands
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

C. Institute a food cart policy and promote development of food cart destinations with multi-cultural fare
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2025+

D. Install a sign that announces historic “Downtown Hillsboro”
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro, Hillsboro Downtown Partnership
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

E. Implement zoning and incentives to stimulate rooftop dining and socializing space
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

F. Secure investment for a food coop or grocery store in or near Downtown
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2025+

G. Install parklets, community gardens or similar green spaces Downtown
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro, Hillsboro Downtown Partnership
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

Initiative 5: Implement efforts to ease congestion in and around Hillsboro.

ACTIONS

A. Implement traffic calming strategies in collaboration with impacted neighborhoods and districts
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

B. Work with employers and community partners to develop innovative solutions for traffic congestion, including staggered work shifts and alternative last mile infrastructure and services
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): Westside Transportation Alliance
TIMELINE: 2020-2025

C. Provide community updates on the Transportation System Plan
LEAD COMMUNITY PARTNER(S): City of Hillsboro
TIMELINE: 2020-2025