“We must have a city that is prime for brisk business activity. I am committed to building a diverse and robust city economy that creates environmentally friendly jobs. As your mayor, we will generate the crucial investments for our schools, mass transportation and other infrastructure essential to Portland's future.”  -Sho Dozono

My experience includes:

• As CEO of Azumano Travel and Broadway Cab, I am the candidate that has hands on experience running a business and meeting a payroll. When I joined Azumano 32 years ago we had four employees. Through hard work and the dedication of many fine individuals we now have over 215 employees with living wage jobs.  These businesses are a cornerstone of Portland's civic business culture. 

• I have organized or participated in more than 15 economic trade missions to a variety of countries in Asia and Europe. This global outreach by involved business leaders and elected officials has resulted in successful recruitment of foreign companies doing business in Oregon and continuing increases in the number of foreign visitors to Portland. (Click here for a great article on Portland in the global market)

• As chair of the Portland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce in 2001, I led efforts to pressure the City Council to reduce unnecessary and onerous taxes. The objective was to make the city more competetive so small business could thrive.  

• As the current co-chair of the International Air Service Committee, which is responsible for the new non-stop flights from Europe, Asia and Mexico to Portland we have expanded our global perspective and enriched our local economy to the tune of more than $200 million annually (not including the new Northwest Airline’s Portland to Amsterdam flight), generating 2,500 new living-wage jobs (source Martin & Associates).

My plan for the economy:

• Bringing Good People Together:  I will hold an economic summit that includes the business community, government agencies, non-profits and civic leaders. We will collaboratively develop a visionary economic strategy to weather the economic downturn and expand our economy into the next decade.
   
• Look at Taxes: I propose a moratorium on any new taxes until all budget items have been reviewed for cost-effectiveness. (Read Sho's comments on the Sauvie Island Bridge)
   
• Building on Success: I will call upon my experience in attracting foreign investments to our region, in promoting Portland and Oregon as the place to visit, build businesses and live.
   
• Investing in Neighborhoods:   Our community requires a strong, independent Portland Development Commission (PDC) that uses its tools for job retention, recruitment and worker training. Where public policies create success, such as in the Pearl District, I would capture a part of that wealth and invest it in job-producing action plans in under-developed areas of our city.
   
• Clean up the Willamette River: Suggested by PDC -- would be to use some of this wealth to clean up our Willamette River superfund sites to enhance habitat and create more usable industrial riverside land.  The economic impact of these programs would produce an increased tax base in these areas.

• Expand & Invest in a Skilled Clean Green Workforce: To ensure that we maintain our reputation as the green technology leader we must invest in job training and transition programs to help workers and industries adapt to clean technology development and production.

• Develop Workforce Partnerships: Partner with Portland State University, Portland Community College and Cascadia Rise, a consortium of community colleges, high schools, and universities partnering with industry, government, and non-profits to help build a clean technology workforce.
   
• Pursue Existing Business: Identify key Portland-based companies that can work with the Sustainability Commission, the PDC and the Oregon Economic Development Department to promote business globally.