Going into and coming out of the Great Recession, the word from the business community was we need more jobs in Southwest Washington and we need more land to locate or relocate the businesses that will create those jobs.
TIP Strategies, the Austin, Texas-based economic development consulting firm contracted to assist in creating the Economic Development Plan for Clark County urged us to focus on the vitality of the community. One of the lynchpins of their plan was the role jurisdictions play in allowing for responsible growth: Making certain enough land is available for expansion and recruitment, and investing in infrastructure so that companies that do locate here are able to open for business in a reasonable amount of time.
Looking across the region, each of the seven ports in Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties have been busy making land “shovel ready” and in assuring infrastructure is in place so timely development can occur. Each of the ports has existing property or projects under development that will make more industrial land available; each has unique amenities and features – as pointed out in our Ports of Progress series – making the region attractive to a variety of employers.
Another theme apparent throughout the Ports of Progress series is how seriously the ports in our region take public access to the Columbia River. The Port of Longview is currently developing its first (75 acre) park; the Port of Camas Washougal is under construction with its riverfront trail; mixed-use development is taking shape on Port of Vancouver property; Port of Kalama and Port of Woodland both have public parks as a part of their holdings. All these projects and existing parks afford the public unprecedented access to the Columbia River in their community.
Rail, river, road, runway
Whether focusing on import/export commodities or providing much-needed industrial land access to local, regional and international companies, transportation is a key component to success at our local ports. The convergence of highway, rail, river and air freight either adjacent to our ports or within a 30- to 60-minute drive makes them desirable magnets for future employers.
Ease of access to Portland International Airport (PDX) from any of the region’s ports is another attractive element – as much for freight mobility as for the ease of travel for company executives and sales forces whose customers are located across the country and the world.
The unfortunate setback the region experienced related to funding for a new Columbia River Crossing doesn’t diminish (at least in the short-term) the use of the I-5 corridor for moving freight – A reality that has become ever so more obvious with the loss of major sea-going haulers such as Hajin, which no longer makes port calls at the Port of Portland. We must address the crossing at some point, but that is the subject of another column.
All things considered, the region is blessed to have seven community economic engines at work, building the infrastructure and land inventory necessary to achieve steady economic growth. The planning and vision among the ports will assure that the Southwest Washington region remains at the forefront of those looking for vital communities to call home.
