I'm pleased to announce the launching of the Portland Metro Export Initiative, a new project to double the region's exports in five years.

Metro Council President Tom Hughes shares updates on urban and rural reserves, Metro's 2011-12 budget, international economic development trips, local economic development partnerships, redrawing Metro district boundaries and opportunities to connect with your regional government.

Kathryn Harrington's District 4 needs to shrink, Carlotta Collette's District 2 must grow. Also, council discusses whether search for COO should be local or national.

Metro Council President Tom Hughes says charging stations, low carbon homes were the highlights of a job recruitment trip to Japan.

Team Oregon, an unofficial name for business recruiters from the state, will also host "Invest in Oregon" seminar, meet with corporate officials. It's the first of two trips abroad this spring for Metro Council President Tom Hughes, who heads to Germany with three mayors later in March.

The Building Tomorrow’s Jobs forum held Feb. 1 featured many ways the Portland metropolitan region can better position itself to be an attractive and competitive job market. Tuesday’s speakers, experts in developing economically and ecologically sustainable employment, highlighted clear opportunities for local employers to improve their triple bottom line, as well as tips for cities and counties that want to attract and retain business. Bert Gregory, an expert in developing resource-efficient structures and communities, noted that communities with ambitious objectives are doing great work in the region. "Employers are looking to locate in areas that are hip, urban and green," he said.