Media Contact: Kelsey Larsonkelsey.larson@pnwer.org | 2200 Alaskan Way, Ste. 460 | Seattle, WA 98121

P: (206) 443-7723 | F: (206) 443-7703

Backgrounder: What is Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER)?

Formed in 1991, PNWER is a public-private sector partnership, representing Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington in the United States and Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon in Canada.

PNWER facilitates working groups consisting of public and private leaders to address specific issues impacting our regional economy. Each working group produces an action plan based on regional input. In the past, working groups have included:

Agriculture Arctic Caucus Cross-border Livestock Health Border Issues Security & Disaster Resilience Energy, Transmission and Renewable Water Policy Health Care Invasive Species Sustainable Development Trade and Economic Development Innovation Transportation Tourism Workforce Development Ocean Policy

PNWER is the only partnership of its kind in North America and represents a regional combined GDP of approximately $1 trillion. The mission of the partnership is to promote greater regional collaboration, enhance competitiveness, achieve continued economic growth and reduce trade and regulatory barriers.

Examples of specific PNWER initiatives in recent years include:

Coordination of cross-border input into Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama’s joint Beyond the Border Action Plan.

The Washington State enhanced driver’s license, which allows drivers the convenience of crossing the border without a passport.

Development of the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute certificate program which educates legislators on energy infrastructure and systems in Canada and the U.S.

Development of a bi-national action plan to look at cross-border infectious disease response and community resilience.

Advocacy to secure daily Amtrak train services linking Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Coordination of efforts to improve border-crossing speed for the 2012 Winter Olympics.

What does PNWER do?

Each year, PNWER:

Hosts an annual summit in one of its states, provinces or territories each summer; the summit is significant, because the “action plans” developed by the delegates who attend inform PNWER’s work for the rest of the year.

Hosts a smaller economic leadership forum in the winter. Undertakes executive committee visits to Ottawa and Washington D.C. Carries out state and provincial capitals visits in the region. Hosts regional meetings and conference calls with stakeholders (e.g. government officials,

business representatives) to support the activities of its more than 20 working groups.

Who is PNWER? At the administrative level, PNWER is run by a small staff in Seattle. Staff members include:

Matt Morrison, Executive Director Brandon Hardenbrook, Deputy Director Eric Holdeman, Director of PNWER’s Center for Regional Disaster Resilience Steve Myers, Program Manager Megan Levy, Program Manager Jennifer Grosman, Program & Events Coordinator Joe Larsen, Program Coordinator Kelsey Larson, Media and Communications Coordinator

PNWER leadership is made of state and provincial leaders. They include a president, vice presidents and a delegation council from the region.

Sen. Kevin Ranker, PresidentWashington State Senate

Hon. Dave Ramsay, Vice President

Minister of Transportation, Northwest Territories

Sen. Curt McKenzie, Vice President Idaho State Senate