The port, close to the Columbia River in Cowlitz County, is making a concerted effort to diversify its property. For a few years, the port dealt largely in land leases. But it surely now operates 4 industrial parks and is growing three marine terminals. It additionally took possession of the upscale Columbia Riverfront RV Park this summer season.
Diversification offers stability, mentioned Jennifer Wray-Keene, Port of Woodland government director.
New income permits the port to develop extra tasks, which may feed the pipeline for much more properties sooner or later.
“We are looking at what other things can we do that allows the port to go towards a goal of being self-sufficient,” Wray-Keene mentioned.
The RV park, for instance, Wray-Keene mentioned, was an enormous success. The park has turn into a big income supply that’s paying for itself.
With its acquisition of the RV park, in addition to its maintenance efforts on port properties, the port is ending the 12 months with 15 workers. It began the 12 months with 5.
And Wray-Keene and her crew haven’t any plans to sit down idle. The port is now wrapping up its fiber optic set up between Ariel and Cougar with plans to develop that into different areas together with the Woodland Bottoms and Inexperienced Mountain.
The gears are additionally in movement to develop Austin Level, which might deal with 100 to 150 vessel calls per 12 months at a future terminal, and the recreation park close by. And the port plans to proceed work on increasing native infrastructure with its Rose Method Extension challenge.
Plus, it’s seeking to proceed including extra industrial parks.
“The goal is job creation,” Wray-Keene mentioned.
Individuals who work near residence are extra concerned, she mentioned. And a stability of business, industrial and residential properties places extra money again into the neighborhood.
“It helps reduce the burden on the residential taxpayers by having a strong industrial base,” she added.