About Metro Regional Government
Metro Regional Government: Shaping the Future of Greater Portland Region
Metro Regional Government is a regional government agency that serves the greater Portland region in Oregon, USA. The agency was established in 1978 to provide essential services and infrastructure to the region's residents, businesses, and visitors. Metro's mission is to help shape the future of the greater Portland region by providing tools, services, and places that make life better today.
The greater Portland region is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. It encompasses three counties - Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington - and includes 25 cities with a total population of over 2 million people. The region is known for its vibrant economy, diverse communities, natural beauty, and high quality of life.
As a regional government agency, Metro has a broad range of responsibilities that include land use planning; transportation planning; solid waste management; parks and natural areas management; affordable housing development; arts and culture promotion; economic development; tourism promotion; public safety coordination; emergency management coordination; animal services provision among others.
One of Metro's key roles is land use planning. The agency works closely with local governments to develop comprehensive plans that guide growth and development in the region. These plans address issues such as housing affordability, transportation access, environmental protection, economic vitality among others.
Another important role for Metro is transportation planning. The agency oversees major transportation projects such as light rail expansion projects like MAX Orange Line which connects downtown Portland with Milwaukie or Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project which will connect downtown Portland with Tigard/Tualatin/Sherwood area via SW Barbur Blvd., SW Capitol Hwy., SW Multnomah Blvd., I-5 corridor etc.. Additionally it also manages regional transit system called TriMet which provides bus service throughout much of metropolitan area along with MAX light rail service.
In addition to land use planning and transportation planning responsibilities mentioned above , Metro also manages several other programs aimed at improving quality-of-life for residents including:
- Parks & Natural Areas Management: This program manages over 17k acres (6k hectares) across more than 200 parks & natural areas throughout metro area.
- Solid Waste Management: This program oversees disposal/recycling/composting facilities within metro area.
- Affordable Housing Development: This program works towards increasing availability/affordability/accessibility options for low-income households.
- Arts & Culture Promotion: This program supports local artists/organizations through grants/funding opportunities/events etc..
- Economic Development/Tourism Promotion: These programs work towards attracting new businesses/tourists into metro area while supporting existing ones.
- Public Safety/Emergency Management Coordination : These programs work towards ensuring safety/security during emergencies/disasters by coordinating response efforts between various agencies/departments involved.
Overall ,Metro Regional Government plays an important role in shaping Greater Portland Region's future by providing essential services/tools/places needed for thriving communities/businesses while preserving/enhancing its unique character/natural beauty/cultural diversity . With its focus on sustainability/equity/inclusion , it strives towards creating livable communities where everyone can thrive regardless their background/circumstances .