GPI Hosts Deloitte Site Selectors – Key Takeaways

This month, Greater Portland Inc hosted Deloitte Consulting’s Global Location Strategy team, whose members advise Fortune 500 companies on where to expand and invest.

Over three days, Deloitte’s 15-person team explored the region, from Adidas North America and Analog Devices to the Columbia River Gorge, meeting employers, workers, and civic leaders to assess Greater Portland’s readiness for growth.

Their visit culminated in a Portland Business Journal feature, “Deloitte site selection team finds lots to like on Portland visit,” where Principal Darin Beulow shared that the region has “really good bones” and “a lot going for it”— diverse industries, talent, creativity, and an inclusive culture.

Just as importantly, Deloitte’s observations highlighted six areas that Portland can treat as actionable opportunities for improvement, grouped by theme for clarity: 

1. Obstacles to Business Growth: Companies continue to face hurdles in expanding locally due to complex permitting and zoning. Simplifying these processes will be key to signaling that our region is open for business.
2. Community Pushback and NIMBYism: Portland’s next chapter requires broader public support for responsible growth and shared prosperity.
3. Homelessness & Public Safety: Visible challenges around homelessness and substance use can impact perception. Addressing these collaboratively is essential for attracting investment and talent.
4. Perception vs. Reality: The national narrative often misses the progress and innovation happening here. Firsthand experiences like Deloitte’s are helping reshape that story.
5. Polishing the Surface: As Beulow put it, Portland has “great bones.” Small, visible wins in cleanliness, design, and pride of place can go a long way in restoring confidence.
6. Competitive Pressure: Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, and Boise are our benchmarks. Portland can differentiate by leveraging its unique mix of creativity, sustainability, and global connectivity.

This visit and the national attention it generated reflect the direct impact of your support in GPI. Together, we are reintroducing Portland to the world and shaping a stronger, more competitive narrative for our region.

Warm regards,

Monique Claiborne
President & CEO
Greater Portland Inc

(Read the full article: “Deloitte site selection team finds lots to like on Portland visit” in the Portland Business Journal.)