AOC is working constantly to build relationships and strengthen the voice of Oregon counties—locally, nationally and regionally.

President Bill Hall and Executive Director Mike McArthur recently spent three days in Seattle at the annual gathering of Northwest association executive directors and presidents.

Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska representatives joined them at the table.

The event helps set the stage for a similar national gathering that takes place in Washington, D.C. right after the New Year arrives. The Seattle get-together featured discussion of issues of mutual interest and concern, a tur and presentation of Sea-Tac operations, the nation’s visit with the Executive Director of Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER), an international regional economic development organization.

PNWER includes legislators and business members from the same states who gathered in Seattle, plus the 5 western Canadian Provinces.

Oregon State Senator Arnie Roblan is the incoming president of PNWER, and the focus of discussion was how to build a connection between PNWER and counties.

The Sea-Tac presentations focused on the economic impact of the airport, which has long been the gateway to Alaska and is an increasingly important link to the Far East. Double-digit growth in passenger flights for many years is driving a multi-billion dollar expansion program for the airport, which is hemmed in by existing development on all sides and is coping with growing public concerns about noise and pollution, among other environmental impacts.

The tour group was able to visit one of the two Sea-Tac control towers. This tower assigns planes to the three runways, then hands off to the main tower once a flight is airborne.

With the upcoming change in presidential administrations, there was a lot of discussion about President-elect Trump appointees, how federal public land policies may change, what the fate of PILT might be in the next Congress, and the difficult reality for many counties in our region that SRS (Secure Rural Schools) is finally dead.

“It was a great learning and networking experience,” said Hall. “We’re never really living in tranquil times, but this feels like an era of unprecedented change, and it’s more important than ever that counties speak with a shared voice whenever they can.”

“We always learn a great deal at these meetings about county association best practices which we can use to help strengthen AOC.”said Mike McArthur.

Contributed by: Bill Hall | AOC President, Lincoln County Commissioner