Comment 16388

By Larry Di Ianni (anonymous) | Posted December 28, 2007 at 11:02:30

Ryan, I agrree with you, fighting or insulting isn't the way to advance perspectives. But since you raise the issue of airport developments, you know I've written about the importance of this on my own blog, www.chrisecklund.com and follow my archived posts.
I also responded to you regarding Portland Oregon and your praise for that community by pointing out its port and airport developments, let me re-paste it here in the hopes of pointing out some benefits that might accrue to us.

By Larry Di Ianni
Posted 11/22/2007 11:52:15 PM

Ryan points out Portland, Oregon as an example for Hamilton to follow. For once, I think, Ryan and I are going to agree. Portland is indeed a city that is being successful in a number of important areas: social sustainability, environmental responsibility and economic well-being. All three are important. What Ryan may not tell you, but I will is that, in part, the economic successes of Portland are due to the Port of Oregon, established in the 1890's through state legislation. This port is responsible for the operation and maintenance of among other things several marine terminals, 4 airports (Portland International, Hillsboro, Mulino and Troutdale) and SEVEN Business parks.
The mission statement for the port says this: "The mission of the Port of Portland is to enhance the region's economy and quality of life by providing efficient cargo and air passenger access to national and global markets."

The 2007 review of Port activities, available online, gives some startling and impressive statistics.
.Maritime and Aviation activities contribute to over 30,000 direct jobs for the citizens of the area. 18,712 are aviation related and 11,724 marine.
.There are more than 300 firms in the business parks which in turn generate an additional 35,000 jobs not all aviation or marine related.
.over $180M go towards local and state annual taxes.
.$1.75Billion in earnings for workers annually

And these are just some of the economic benefits.

Ryan, thank you for helping me make my case. Hamilton deserves no less in opportunities. We are not Portland, but if all of us work together rather than fight each other, I am convinced we can enjoy the best of all worlds.

As for the McLean article on the airport, let me just point out the obvious: HIA is an aviation success story both as a cargo airport AND as a passenger terminus. More can be done and more should be done in this regard. True the oil crisis is going to affect air travel, but I prefer the Gwynne Dyer approach to the problem which states that governments and industry must be proactive in preventing a disaster. There is still time to do that if the political will can be found.
As for employment land development, I just discovered that the city of London Ontarion has quietly done what Hamilton has been promising to do for years, that is designate lands around its airport for employment purposes. London's airport and employment lands as well as Kitchener's airport and employment lands are our competitors for jobs and industrial location...we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines, in my humble opinion.
I will probably write more extensively on the London initiatives once I find out more about them.

Permalink | Context

Events Calendar

There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?

Recent Articles

Article Archives

Blog Archives

Site Tools

Feeds