Focus on East County
On Saturday, February 2, the population of Gresham – the fourth largest city in Oregon – is projected to reach 100,000. Yet most Portlanders residing “close-in” know little about Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village and the eastern edge of Portland, even though together they constitute the most culturally diverse area in the metro region, are experiencing rapid population growth and are home to a number of large businesses.
On Friday, February 1, Gresham mayor Shane Bemis will join Travis Stovall, executive director of East Metro Economic Alliance, and Jean DeMaster, executive director of Human Solutions, to discuss several key questions: How are east county communities dealing with growth and everything that growth entails? What economic development strategies are underway in east county? What sorts of strains is rapid growth placing upon schools and social service capacity in particular? And how can Portlanders living “close in” and residents of east county better work together to address some of these challenges and opportunities?
Shane Bemis – the youngest mayor to serve the city of Gresham – also chairs Gresham’s redevelopment commission and owns three local restaurants. Besides serving as executive director of the East Metro Economic Alliance, Travis Stovall is president of both the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and the Stovall Group, a consulting firm that assists start-up businesses and companies looking to grow and reorganize. Jean DeMaster has been executive director of Human Solutions for five years and has spent the last 30 years developing programs, building affordable housing and advocating for the underserved in the larger metropolitan area.
