Daimler Trucks, formerly Freightliner, has 1000 engineers designing the next generation of heavy duty trucks on Swan Island. Total employment DT employment in Portland, including the Western Star truck plant and Montgomery Park offices, is about 3,500. 10% or so of these are being relocated to Charlotte where most of DT's manufacturing is located. Most suppliers and customers for their products are on the other side of the Mississippi. Why would they stay in Portland? But so far they are.
Portland is a long way from most major markets and population centers and has no research university, but our quality of life attracts a lot of talent.
Talent and innovation drives the economy, including the manufacturing sector
Unfortunately, the last 15 years have seen steady dis-investment in education, pre-K thru post-Doc. The chickens may be coming home to roost.
And regarding the Tram...helping to make possible the growth of OHSU, the city's largest employer and only research institution...was probably one of the best economic development investments we have made in a long time.