PDX Airport Project Prioritized Local Businesses and Workers

The nine-year, $2 billion renovation of Portland International Airport (PDX), the largest public infrastructure project in Oregon's history, is nearing completion. The project aimed to modernize the airport, enhance its earthquake resilience, and reduce its carbon footprint.

Project leaders emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses and workers within the region. Instead of solely relying on the cheapest, most distant materials, the initiative prioritized locally sourced timber to bolster the regional forestry industry. A signature architectural feature became a large interior ceiling made from mass timber, chosen to reflect the area's forested environment.

The renovation created quality jobs and prioritized contracts with smaller regional businesses. The program also promoted sustainable building methods such as mass timber. The project supported local small landowners and Native American tribes in sourcing timber and engaged local mills and fabricators.

Several local businesses, including Zena Forest Products and Timber Pro Coatings, were able to expand their operations due to the project. They received support for machinery acquisition and process development, enabling them to continue their operations and create new jobs in their communities. The outcome is an airport that is not only modern and functional but also a driver for the local economy and sustainability.