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This information was compiled by the Columbia River Economic Development Councilfrom sources deemed reliable. While the CREDC has attempted, in good faith, to ensurethe information presented is accurate, there may be inadvertent (technical and factual)inaccuracies with the information presented. All information should be verified.

Columbia River Economic Development

Solar & Photovoltaic ManufacturingOpportunities in Southwest Washington

August 2011

Jeanie AsheDirector of Business Recruitment

805 Broadway, Suite 412Vancouver, WA 98660P: (360) 567-3180E: jashe@credc.org

http://www.credc.org

C O L U M B I A R I V E R E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T C O U N C I L

M a n u f a c t u r i n g O p p o r t u n i t i e s i n S o u t h w e s t W a s h i n g t o n

CLARK COUNTY OVERVIEW

Located on the Pacific Rim and bridging the states of Oregon and Washington, thePortland-Vancouver metropolitan region is a vibrant and attractive business location. Thelargest source of economic growth for the region is semiconductors and electronicmanufacturing. The area has over 2,000 firms employing 70,000 technology workers in theSilicon Forest. Pure water, inexpensive power and a skilled electronic manufacturingworkforce are reasons firms

are attracted to the area in addition to the area’s easy access to

the electronics industry in California and Asia.Clark County is one of sevencounties included in the Portland-Vancouver, Metropolitan StatisticalArea (PMSA). Clark County offersworkers and their families theadvantages of a major metropolitancity combined with affordablehousing and quality primary andsecondary education.Clark County and its communities of Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground,Washougal, Ridgefield and LaCenter offer a diversity of lifestylesranging from metropolitan tosuburban. The Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area has a population of over two million.

Clark County’s po

pulation is 435,600

–

almost 20 percent of the PMSA.

POPULATION SUMMARY

Portland - Vancouver PMSA 2,191,910

Clark County 435,600

Battle Ground 17,400Camas 17,210La Center 2,575Ridgefield 4,370Vancouver 165,500Washougal 14,050

Source: Bureau of Census and Washington State OFM

–

2010

With the expanding economy, affordable housing, quality schools, and exceptionalrecreational and cultural amenities, Clark County is expected to continue stable economicgrowth well into the future.

C O L U M B I A R I V E R E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T C O U N C I L

M a n u f a c t u r i n g O p p o r t u n i t i e s i n S o u t h w e s t W a s h i n g t o n

CLARK COUNTY’S

HIGH TECH ADVANTAGE

Clark County is home to 340 high-technology companies that employ more than 8,800workers. Included among these are: Linear Technology, Sharp Microelectronics of theAmericas, Sharp Laboratories, nLight Photonics, SEH America, and WaferTech.Washington's tax environment, low cost of living and quality of life are major factors inbusinesses moving to Clark County. In addition, most businesses find it valuable to be nearmajor transportation routes. Interstate 5 and 205 run north and south through the county,enabling easy travel to Portland, California, Seattle and Canada. The PortlandInternational Airport is within 12 minutes travel time offering daily non-stops to the PacificRim as well as most major airports in the U.S.

REGIONAL AREA ELECTRONICS COMPANIES

Employer Employees

Intel 15,500RadiSys Corp. 2,700TriQuint Semiconductors 2,072Tektronix, Inc. 2,000Siltronic 1,300SEH America 1,190WaferTech LLC 1,100Lattice Semiconductor 1,008Maxim Integrated Products 1,000IBM 900InFocus Corp. 739Electro Scientific Industries 513Credence Systems 450Planar Systems, Inc. 433FEI Company 400Sharp Microlectronics and Lab 380Integrated Device Technology (IDT) 370Microchip 300Sun Microsystems 300Epson Portland, Inc. 285Synetics Solutions, Inc. 250

LABOR FORCE

Companies locating within Clark County, Washington have access to a labor force of more

than one million workers within a 30 mile radius. Clark County’s competitive labor costs

are an additional advantage to local firms.Labor Force Portland-Vancouver Metro Clark County, WA

Civilian Labor Force 1,060,200 221,920Unemployment 99,880 28,960Unemployment Rate 10.4% 13.1%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and WA State Employment Security Department (November 2010)