We Build Green Cities – new Portland campaign

Bob Wise recently spoke at the EcoDistrict Summit.

We often hear the question as parents:  Do you know where your children are?  The answer is usually “yes” unless they are teenagers.  Then the answer is probably “maybe.”  Bob Wise, in his presentation to the EcoDistrict Summit asked – do we know where our money is?

Our economic development strategies can benefit if we learn where our money comes from and where it goes.  Just in the energy sector alone we spend almost $10 billion a year in Oregon on energy and it is estimated that 85 percent of that spending goes out of state.  The Portland region spends almost $5 billion on food and related purchases – an estimated 95 percent of our food is imported from outside the Portland region.  Add to this consumer goods, investments, insurance, banking deposits, credit card and mortgage payments, automobile purchases and we are talking real money.  The move to shift money from national to local banks and credit unions indicates that people are beginning to consider this challenge.  Local purchases of more goods and services – those produced here – can help localize some of our currently exported capital and help create prosperity.  We should seriously consider what we do with our money and how that harms or benefits the local economy.