New poll: Port of Oakland good for the community and economy

Port of Oakland neighbors strongly believe that the Port has a significant positive impact on jobs, the local economy and surrounding communities. Those are the key findings of survey results released today by an Oakland polling firm.

“Our results show that for two years in a row, residents view the Port of Oakland as having a positive impact on its neighboring communities,” said Dave Metz, of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, the firm that conducted the Port’s Community Satisfaction Survey.

The second annual survey – conducted in May - indicated growing public recognition of the Port’s role as an East Bay economic engine. Eighty-four percent of those surveyed said the Port is highly important for the region’s economy. That was up 2 percent from a year ago. Sixty-five percent said that the Port has a positive impact on surrounding communities, up 1 percent from last year.

“East Bay residents clearly understand that the Port benefits its surrounding communities,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle. “The Port generates tax revenues, creates jobs, invests in important projects, and utilizes local firms.”

More than 1,100 registered voters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties took part in the phone survey. Here’s what they had to say about the Port of Oakland’s three business lines: Oakland International Airport, the Port of Oakland seaport, and Commercial Real Estate including Jack London Square:

• 86% have a favorable impression of Oakland International Airport;
• 76% view Jack London Square favorably; and
• 74% view the Port as one of the busiest seaports in the United States.

While only 22% of East Bay residents consider themselves knowledgeable about the Port of Oakland, those polled broadly agree in the benefits that the Port provides:

• 80% believe that the Port of Oakland is the entry point for most consumer goods sold in the Easy Bay;
• 74% believe that the Port of Oakland is a major source of jobs for local residents; and
• 71% say that the Port generates hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue each year.

A majority of those surveyed expressed concern about air quality near the Port. Fifty-nine percent said the Port is a major source of air pollution. However, a 2008 study found that the Port contributes just 16% of the diesel pollution.

Between 2005 and 2012, the Port reduced its diesel pollution by 70%. That’s 15% away from the Port’s adopted goal of 85% diesel pollution reduction by 2020. “While the Port of Oakland has made very significant strides in air quality, we recognize that there’s still a lot more work to be done,” said Port of Oakland Director of Environmental Programs and Planning Richard Sinkoff.

Complete survey results are available on the Port of Oakland website. Click HERE.

About the Port of Oakland: The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.