For Immediate Release

June 29, 2026

Media Contact:

Monice Wong, Media Relations Manager

mwong@portlandalliance.com 

Working Waterfront Coalition and the Portland Metro Chamber Launch Formal Partnership of Business, Industrial Associations

The Working Waterfront Coalition Joins the Portland Business Alliance.

PORTLAND, OR — Effective July 1, Working Waterfront Coalition (WWC) has joined the Portland Business Alliance family of organizations.

As affiliates of the Alliance, Working Waterfront Coalition and the Portland Metro Chamber will partner to leverage their collective expertise and advance a strong unified voice on industrial policy issues in the Portland region.

As greater Portland continues to experience economic headwinds, particularly in job retention and expansion, the organizations are unifying to expand and strengthen their advocacy and action on issues impacting family-wage jobs in the Portland Harbor and across the broader Portland regional economy.

The launch of this partnership is the continuation of momentum for the Portland Metro Chamber that began earlier this year when it launched the Real Estate Public Affairs Collaborative in partnership with three leading real estate and development organizations (BOMA – Oregon, NAIOP – Oregon, OSG).

The Working Waterfront Coalition is a coalition of thirty businesses dedicated to the economic vitality and the environmental health of the Portland Harbor. Established in 2005, WWC leads focused advocacy on harbor industrial public policies and issues.

Benton Strong, who is WWC Board President, Chamber Board Executive Committee Member, and Director of Public Affairs at Vigor Marine Group, states, “Over the past few years, industrial business in the Portland Harbor have faced similar economic headwinds as many businesses in our region. We remain a critical part of our region’s economic foundation, with skilled workers who show up in person every day. Vigor Marine Group got its start at Portland Shipyard in 1995 and though we have grown to achieve a national footprint, we remain dedicated to ensuring our hometown of Portland thrives. We have chosen to meet this moment with collaboration, and this partnership strengthens our organizations’ capacity to lead efficient, effective advocacy and action on industrial policy issues.” 

Michael Liu, Chamber Board Chair and Chief Financial Officer at Fubonn Shopping Center, adds, “This new partnership continues the momentum that started earlier this year with the launch of the Portland Metro Chamber Regional Commercial Real Estate Public Affairs Collaborative, when BOMA Oregon, NAIOP Oregon, and Oregon Smart Growth joined forces with the Chamber.”

“This new chapter with Working Waterfront Coalition represents a positive trend—leading business organizations are aligning around shared goals and joining together to advance a strong, unified voice on policy issues. Together, our organizations will achieve significantly greater impact than alone.”

More than two years of collaborative planning informed the partnership. While WWC will retain its own independent board of directors, WWC's Executive Director Tanya Hartnett will join the Chamber as Director of Industrial Policy.

The partnership marks another major step in unified leadership to drive economic solutions for the greater Portland metro region.

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About the Portland Metro Chamber: The Portland Metro Chamber was founded in 1870 and represents the largest, most diverse business network in the region. The Chamber brings together more than 2,200 members represented by dynamic and varied employers from around the region. Grounded in its mission to create opportunity and advance well-being for all who live and work in the greater Portland and SW Washington region, the Chamber envisions a healthy and resilient business ecosystem where we work together to increase collaboration in governance; engage community; increase civic leadership; and advocate for a vibrant, livable place for all. Learn more at PortlandMetroChamber.com.

About Working Waterfront Coalition: Working Waterfront Coalition is a coalition of industrial businesses concerned about the economic vitality and the environmental health of the Portland Harbor, WWC was established in 2005 to create a focused and strong voice for harbor industrial public policies and issues. Learn more at WorkingWaterfrontPortland.org.

About Vigor Marine Group: Vigor Marine Group is an established, innovative, integrated partner with a national footprint in marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication, and marine services. Evolving over decades from a collection of best-in-class companies with unique and complementary capabilities on the East and West coasts, our spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make Vigor Marine Group a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors. Today we offer advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry, and more. Learn more at VigorMarine.com.