Before we were known for our quality of life, we actually made things. We’re not making a point here, we’re just saying…

When did we start selling siz­zle and stop selling steak? Just weeks ago, Portland’s sharpest city planners look­ed into the Forest City’s fu­ture and recorded what they saw on paper. The result: the Economic Development Vision & Plan. It’s hopeful and well-written, yet it privileges the service and tourism sectors, only making a vague appeal to nicheful­-thinking markets like nanotechnology and biochemicals. Whatever happened to products we can sink our teeth into? Our city once had a dazzling catalog of tangible products for the waiting world.

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