Throughout one of the most challenging business climates in decades, Metro and its Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC) continued to infuse hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy in 2008 and 2009.
A recent study concluded that the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center and Portland Center for the Performing Arts generated more than $522 million in direct and indirect spending throughout Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties during fiscal year (FY) 2009. The independent analysis, conducted by Crossroads Consulting Services, LLC, also estimated that 5,540 local jobs with more than $203 million in employee earnings were supported, and that $18.2 million in tax revenues were distributed to state and local governments as a result of the venues' business.
FY 2009 was the second year that economic and fiscal data was collected across all MERC venues. In FY 2008, the facilities generated nearly $535 million in direct and indirect spending, supported 5,810 jobs and nearly $206 million in earnings, and generated $18.2 million in tax revenues.The consulting firm attributed the FY 2009 decreases to implications that industry experts anticipated would arise from the economic downturn, including fewer people attending smaller events compared to prior years.
The 2009 MERC Economic and Fiscal Impact Report includes information about the number of events and visitors hosted at each venue.