Port of Woodland

State of the Port Address

March 1, 2011

Photography by Noel Johnson - Click to enlarge.

WOODLAND, Wash. – Business is better at the Port of Woodland, as reported in the State of the Port address during the Woodland Chamber of Commerce Lunch today.

A full-house crowd of 55 heard Commission President Paul Cline and Executive Director Nelson Holmberg discuss share the current chapter in the port's history.

"The port is making the effort to be proactive in our thinking and our decision-making, being more transparent, and being more supportive of the Woodland community," Cline said. "We're also continuing the original intent of the formation of the Port of Woodland and port districts statewide, which is to attract family-wage jobs and sustainable industries to our area and maintain the quality of life we've come to know in our community."

Cline also reported that the Port Commission and staff are winding down a yearlong process of determining and writing its strategic plan, which should be introduced to the community during the second quarter of 2011.

While the port struggled during the recent recession, Holmberg said things are beginning to look better now.

"At our North Pekin Road Industrial Park, a year ago, we had a 100 percent vacancy rate," he said. "Today, I'm proud to say that we have a 100 percent occupancy rate."

Holmberg said the port has hopes of filling its only vacancy at the Down River Drive Industrial Park within the next 30 days, as well. He also reported that there's significant interest for a recently-vacated building in the Schurman Way Industrial Park.

"The interest in space is heating up," he said.

Interest in the port seems to be "heating up" as well.

Cline said the port commission now holds one of its regular monthly meetings in the Yale Valley, to reach the residents of the eastern stretch of the port district. He also noted that the port has ramped up its outreach efforts.

"Our commission and staff goal is to be as open and transparent as possible with those in our port district by being more visible in the community," Cline said. "I hope we have shown that we will always listen and even act upon good sound advice. We want Woodland to be a quality place to live, and a place where businesses can build and be sustained."

The Port of Ridgefield Commisoner Joe Melrose and Port Director Brent Grening attended the meeting as well.

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