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.

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

On Feb. 22, Metro Council President Tom Hughes and Washington County Chair Andy Duyck unveiled a revised proposal for urban and rural reserves in Washington County. This proposal was offered in response to direction provided by the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) last October, asking the two governments to revise the map they submitted for review and approval. (At the same time LCDC accepted proposed urban and rural reserve maps for Clackamas and Multnomah counties without changes.) Specifically, LCDC rejected a proposed urban reserve north of Cornelius, 623 acres in size, citing its value to the agricultural community in northern Washington County. LCDC also asked Metro and Washington County to re-evaluate a proposed urban reserve north of Forest Grove and determine whether it meets established factors for designation as an urban reserve.

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.

Dan B. Cooper will serve as Acting Chief Operating Officer once Michael Jordan goes to Salem. Alison Kean Campbell promoted to Acting Metro Attorney.

Metro President Tom Hughes and Metro were presented a Daily Journal of Commerce Newsmakers Award at the newspaper's annual awards luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 22. Editor Stephanie Basalyga, who nominated Hughes, said "I have always been impressed by what Tom Hughes has done in Hillsboro. Though it took the whole community, Tom was an important catalyst in revitalizing the downtown area." Basalyga also noted the Metro Council President race in honoring Hughes and Metro with the award, calling the race a "cliffhanger." "It was exciting for the media, and it gave us an insight on how much people really cared about the race and the issues the candidates focused on."

Hello, readers,

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Metro employees  at an all-staff meeting, and was so impressed by their talent and skills.  One of the topics we covered that I want to share with you is “Opt In”, the new online public opinion panel Metro has launched.  It's just one of the ways Metro leads the nation in public service, and it's an incredibly innovative and essential tool for garnering public involvement and collecting the views and values of our constituents. Please sign up and help us reach the 10,000 participants we hope to engage by October of this year.  I also encourage Metro staff to join, and to pass along the message to friends and colleagues outside the agency, who are eligible for prize drawings.  I look forward to hearing the views of Opt In members about our region’s future, and I hope I can count on you all to give your honest views.  Let's help continue to shape this region we all love.