Brooke Berglund is a busy woman. As the Business and Labor Outreach Manager for the Port of Portland she is tasked with building coalitions for Port projects and public policy initiatives, supporting Port business and strategic direction, and coordinating strategic communications. She is also responsible for community outreach and engagement efforts related to the Port of Portland’s marine and industrial development properties and Hillsboro Airport.
Port of Portland was created in 1891 to oversee several facilities, including Portland International Airport, marine terminals, and industrial properties such as Cascade Station, Gresham Vista Business Park, and Swan Island Industrial Park. According to its Web site, 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, and by promoting industrial development. A nine-member commission, appointed by the Governor of Oregon and ratified by the Oregon Senate, sets Port policy and appoints the Port’s executive director. Port operations impact the entire Pacific Northwest, but its official boundaries include only Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties in Oregon.
Port of Portland is an economic driver for the state of Oregon. In 2015, it was responsible for 26,500 jobs, $1.7 Billion in personal income, $5.7 Billion in business revenue, and $172 million in state and local taxes. Oregon is one of the most trade-dependent states in the U.S. and its exports exceed imports. Hay and animal feed are the largest exports. Other important exports include cheese, seafood, and blueberries. In 2015, over 240 thousand tons of fresh seafood and blueberries were exported to Asia.
Portland International Airport, also known as PDX, was named best airport in the U.S. by Travel and Leisure magazine for four years in-a-row. It boasts a portfolio of 11 international destinations and 70 non-stop flights including direct transport to Frankfurt and Raykjavik. Thanks to Icelandair, you can stop over in Raykjavik for up to one week and travel onward without paying for an additional flight. Delta will begin non-stop service to London in May. In 2016, 18.3 million passengers went through PDX, an 8.9% increase over the previous year.
In 2015, marine imports and exports included 291,242 autos, 5 million tons of potash, and 4.6 million tons of grain. 85% of the cargo business is rail dependent because it is more cost effective than other types of transportation for longer distances. Hazardous materials can be transported by railroads into and out of Portland but they do not include oil or coal.
Brooke Berglund is a native Oregonian. She received an undergraduate degree from PSU and an MBA from Marylhurst University. Before joining the Port of Portland, she was a senior program manager for KP Corporation.