[sopdx]

It's unfortunate, really, but the writing was on the wall when they first purchased land down there. It's cheaper and as pointed out earlier, the industry is there, not here. But honestly, how does their move affect Portland's business climate. There is absolutely nothing the city could have done. What, pour money and incentives to keep them here? Manufacturing in a place with high labor costs is never going to work. They didn't move to San Francisco or Seattle or Chicago, they moved to North Cacalacky.

I think our economic troubles are the result of whimpy business leadership in the city and meager political support. We should be aggressively pursuing the location of alternative energy companies and facilities. This really fits Portland and we have a headstart. Whether it's the dude with the carbon eating algae or solar panel production we need to pound it, and create a critical mass that will sustain more employment, more innovation, more employment. Look at Seattle and software and biotech. You've got UW and Microsoft - brain and economic engines. Equally important, they have strong leadership that knows what they are doing.

Sometimes I feel the only things coming out of here are new restaurants and streetcar lines.