OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON (MAY 9, 2022) – Each year, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) recognizes the extraordinary achievements of ports across the state in the categories of job creation, community engagement, creative partnership, and environmental stewardship.

WPPA is pleased to recognize the achievements of the Port of Woodland in their dedication to creating sustainable, family-wage jobs for the people of their port community with the 2022 Job Creator of the Year Award. Creating jobs for community prosperity is at the heart of public ports’ missions, and the Port of Woodland provided exemplarily planning, strategy, and leadership to create long-term job growth for the community of Woodland.

The story is best told in the Port of Woodland’s own words, taken from their award application:

“In the last several years, the Port has progressed towards our mission statement to “support job creation through economic growth and recreational opportunities in a diverse array of businesses, industries, and services that enhance the district.” We have had an aggressive Capital planning and project list to implement our Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements. We have secured numerous grants and loans to fund projects that include dark fiber, two industrial parks, and planning for two future marine deep water terminal developments.

The Port’s change in their business model enabled the Port to take advantage of a real estate market conducive to job creation as well as new markets that will spur investment. Within 2021, the Port completed nearly $10 million in real estate transactions that in turn is sprouting approximately $40 million in private development with new construction. Within these growing and new companies to Woodland, companies like Columbia Precast that moved to Woodland in 2015, was able to double its workforce in one year from 35 to 70 employees. The investment of additional land will allow for more manufacturing space to again double the number of employees. Three other companies to the Centennial Industrial Park will bring 70 additional family wage jobs to Woodland in the manufacturing sector and will support existing companies through supply chain connections. These were all just in Centennial Industrial Park that was dedicated in June 2021 and completed construction in November.

The Port placed 27 acres of rail served property on the market that was purchased by Brown Strauss, who lease property at the Port of Longview. The ability for the company to purchase land, provided these 40 jobs to be retained as the company moved to ownership practices rather than leasing options. The investment to attract a second steel company in Woodland will provide the Port with another manufacturing sector, which already includes composites.

The Port also secured a financial note of over $3 million for the match funds for a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant of over $4.6 million at Rose Way Industrial Park. The construction of phase 1 is wrapping up and we have secured funding for the first two of six buildings to be constructed in 2022-2023. The current waitlist of potential clients for Rose Way is significant. It is anticipated that with full build out, the Port will create 150-300 jobs at Rose Way.

The Port received a grant for dark fiber phase 1 between Ariel and Cougar for the engineering and construction of the 25-mile backbone line and additional federal funds of $2.4 million for the fiber to home project. Twenty-two connections to businesses in the first phase will improve their business operations and the residents including the Lelooska Tribal Interpretive Center, PacifiCorps, several camp and RV sites that include stores, services and restaurants critical to our tourism industry in this area along with over 600 connections to homes.

The future for the Port does not seem to slow down for 2022. The Port marine developments will continue through its planning process. The Austin Point Rail and Whalen Overpass will wrap up thirty percent design and engineering this winter with a complete build out cost estimate in the neighborhood of $134 million. The Port is starting on the Dockside Feasibility study, contracting with KPFF, and will complete at the end of 2022. The investment in the future Austin Point marine terminal, rail and industrial property will create significant revenue and job creation. The depiction is over the future recreational property investment the Port envisions as part of the industrial development at Austin Point, nearly a million dollars for recreation.

Martin Bar’s planning is wrapping up and now on the market for two marine terminal operators to invest in the greenfield. The Port is seeking industries in aggregate, gypsum, steel coils, slabs and rolled shaped is being sought, all that will create significant job creation on the site that has not been developed in the Port’s ownership.

The Port of Woodland has made significant business plan changes, investments, plans and transactions to significantly improve the job creation opportunities in our Port District. In fruition, these could contribute to 800 to 1,000 jobs just with these investments made in 2021.”

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ABOUT WASHINGTON PUBLIC PORTS ASSOCIATION
As a state legislative and regulatory advocacy organization, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) provides zealous representation for the state’s ports. The WPPA was formed by the legislature in 1961 to represent public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion.
 
MEDIA CONTACT
Jessica Wilson
Washington Public Ports Association
E: jwilson@washingtonports.org
T: 360-528-0405