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There's no question that the unemployment rate in Seattle remains distressingly high. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Seattle's unemployment rate in June of 2012 stood at 7.8 percent. During his two terms as Port Commissioner, John Creighton has worked hard to push forward policies that help businesses create jobs and lower the unemployment rate. He's proud to announce that the Port has developed a 25-year plan to do just that. "The Port of Seattle is currently a major force in the economy, representing some 200,000 jobs," says John Creighton. "The Commission thought that number could go higher, and I agreed. Together, we put together an ambitious plan to add 100,000 new jobs to the region over 25 years. This should really help Seattle recover from the devastating blow the Great Recession has had on so many people who live in our communities." The plan is part of the Port of Seattle’s Century Agenda, a plan for the future that began in 2008, three years before the Port of Seattle's 100th birthday. John Creighton was co-chair of the Century Agenda Committee. "We really wanted to develop goals that were both ambitious and achievable," he says. "New jobs were a priority, but we also looked into infrastructure needs, funding issues, cargo capacity and more. I think we did a great job of balancing the needs of the community with the needs of the businesses that use our Port. This plan points the way toward a more secure future for the Port, and for the Puget Sound region as a whole." The proposed new jobs will not come at the expense of the environment. In fact, the plan makes clear that environmental concerns will always have a place at the table of the Port. "During my tenure as Port Commissioner," John Creighton says, "I have made sure that green principles are a top priority. Clean air and clean water is vital to the health of this region, and we forget that fact at our peril. There's a good reason we're striving to be the cleanest, greenest Port in America: By marrying solid environmental principles with sound plans for economic growth, we're ensuring a clean environment and good jobs for the next generation. It's a sound policy path to follow." John Creighton is running for reelection in 2013, and he hopes to secure a place at the table for another four years. "I'd love to continue working on this plan, ensuring good jobs at the Port for the people of King County. I hope people will vote for me in November, and provide me with that opportunity to continue to serve them," he says.
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