Port of Seattle Generates Steady Jobs, Revenue for Region

Slight decrease in jobs tied to beginning of economic downturn

The Port of Seattle’s activities and facilities are responsible for more than 190,000 jobs in the Puget Sound region – good news for an area hit hard by the uptick in unemployment. Port facilities also generate over $17 billion in revenue for businesses who provide services to those facilities, including Port tenants; and produce $867 million each year in state and local tax dollars. The jobs and revenues generated by the Port place the public agency near the top of key area employers such as Weyerhaeuser, Boeing, and Paccar.

“Tens of thousands of families depend on the Port for their livelihood,” said Commission President Bill Bryant. “We have to make investment decisions now that will project those jobs now and in the future.”

The report’s author, John C. Martin, has prepared more than 500 economic and planning studies for US ports. The 2007 Port of Seattle study shows a slight decrease in the numbers of direct jobs attached to the Port’s facilities – in 2007, those facilities created more than 111,000 direct jobs, down from the 2003 number of 115,000. In addition, indirect jobs – those created by the purchases of goods and services by firms doing business with the Port – decreased by about 6,000 to just over 20,000.

“There’s no question – we’re feeling the economic downturn,” said CEO Tay Yoshitani. “We’re never happy to see jobs associated with the Port decline, but our industry is somewhat resilient in the face of economic difficulty. Port infrastructure investments give a strong return to their communities – jobs and revenues for the entire region.”

The study also counted jobs that, while not completely dependent on Port activities, benefit from having a major trade gateway nearby. Over 135,000 people are employed at regional manufacturing and distribution firms that have cargo moving through the Port of Seattle – firms like Genie Industries in Redmond, whose mechanical lift systems are shipping through the Port of Seattle to markets across the globe.

Port staff members are working with Governor Gregoire and the congressional delegation, making the case that dollars invested in transportation infrastructure show quick results, putting families back to work and the region’s economy back on track. The Port has several “shovel-ready” projects that, with financing, can put construction and other workers back on the job immediately.

The Port of Seattle Commission will discuss the economic impact study at their meeting today, and will receive public comment until March 3, 2009. To read the full text of the study, or leave comment for the Port commission, please visit the Port's Website.