'Cascadia' links economic powers

Most economists in the U.S. are focused on the recession, how long it will last and how deep it will be.

But not the political and business leadership of Seattle.

At the annual Pacific Northwest Economic Outlook briefing here this week, more than 900 civic leaders heard that eight years of economic growth will continue through 1991, although at a slower rate.

The economy of the Pacific Northwest is driven by agriculture, forest products, fisheries and high-tech - led by aerospace and computer software. Boeing, Microsoft, Weyerhaeuser are the best-known names.

The Pacific Northwest also provides a big window to the burgeoning trade in the Pacific Rim. A strategic location and sophisticated air-rail-ship links make the ports of Portland, Tacoma, Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, important gateways to Pacific Rim markets.

These and other Pacific Northwest ports are 30 hours closer to Asian markets than are California ports.

Markets in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong buy about 40% of the Pacific Northwest's exports. About 80% of imports to Pacific Northwest ports are shipped to interior states, while most of California's imports are consumed in California. Hence, Pacific Northwest business leaders have much stronger links to the U.S. hinterland.

But most important for the long haul may be the regional consciousness developing in what some call "Cascadia," a region that includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and western Montana, together with Alberta and British Columbia in Canada.

The fabric of regional relationships is impressive:

• -Legislative leaders from these states and provinces plus Alaska met last year to convene the Pacific Northwest Legislative Leadership Forum. Staffed by the Northwest Policy Center at the University of Washington, this group is collaborating on education, research and development, energy and the environment.

Concrete projects include a telecommunications network to link the region's scholars.

What's happening here provides a glimpse of the future. Business organizations, civic groups and provincial, state and local governments are calling the shots and shaping events. This is civic leadership at its best.

Central governments are nowhere to be found. That has to be progress.