Michael Walker
Meet Michael Walker:
Michael completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon, majoring in Business Administration and Planning, Public Policy, and Management. From a young age, he has been interested in making spaces and thinking spatially. Today he hopes to use his passion for spatial design to create civic spaces that promote inclusion while encouraging social interaction. This is his second year of service with RARE.
Community and Organization:
Located just 25 miles northwest of Portland, the City of Banks has proximity to both major urban development and the agricultural countryside of rural western Washington County. Although still a relatively small city, the population of the City of Banks has multiplied almost 10 times since 1930! It is also the southern anchor to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, a 21-mile long regional trail popular with bicyclists, hikers, and equestrians. With a convenient location, quick drives get residents to Oregon’s largest metropolitan area, densely forested mountains, or even the coast.
Project:
The RARE member, Michael Walker, will act as the City’s lead economic development director, advancing the City’s Economic Development goals and implementation projects outlined in the Banks Economic Development Plan. Michael will continue progress from the previous RARE year, working on community outreach, business outreach, developing strategic regional alliances, marketing, a parking plan, creating a business alliance, creating a main street facade improvement program, and destination development projects in partnership with the Washington County Visitors Association.