The Port of Portland is reporting a 34 percent decline in shipping tonnage over the last year. Spokesman Josh Thomas says that may sound bad, but compared to the free fall the port witnessed earlier this year, it’s an improvement: “We saw improvements in grain, mineral bulks and surprisingly autos. It’s been refreshing to see some turn around because everything the Port does is directly related also to jobs and economic benefits for the local community and the region.”

From Oregion Public Broadcasting, October 16, 2009