The University of Oregon and Oregon State University expect growth in the state economy this year, UO President Michael Gottfredson said Wednesday, during his keynote discussion at the 2013 Economic Forecast at the Hilton Eugene & Conference Center.

Gottfredson and OSU President Edward Ray outlined the economic development roles of their institutions and urged business leaders and elected officials to work with the universities in enhancing quality of life for Oregonians.

“We’re extremely optimistic (about the future),” Gottfredson said. “ ‘Bullish’ would be the word to use.”

The presidents described plans for the Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network or RAIN, a collaborative effort to accelerate regional ideas to commercialization.

Read more in AroundtheO Thursday (March 21).

-- Matt Cooper, UO Office of Strategic Communications