Times have been tough for the Oregon economy and our workforce. Any leader will tell you that when faced with daunting challenges, the best approach is to get back to the fundamentals and play to your strengths. Oregon should heed this advice.
Our state’s strong suits are rooted in our constant push for progress and improvement. We are a state of builders. Oregon’s skilled trades workers construct the highways, powerlines, wind and solar farms, buildings, college campuses, and the infrastructure that serves as the connective tissue of our cities and towns — from structural steel frameworks to electrical wiring to piping systems. The builder’s mindset also applies to our entrepreneurs and leading companies who are always pushing into new frontiers of technological advancement, including emerging technologies like AI.
So why is such a proud and innovative state facing stronger economic headwinds than other states?…