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Our Economy Relies on a Strong Port
by Larry Paulson

The future of our region depends on the strength of our economy, and the Columbia Gateway project proposed by the Port of Vancouver could be a strengthening element.

Washington's unemployment rate is now alarmingly the highest in the nation, and Clark County's is one of the highest in the state. Limited land resources are making it difficult for local agencies like the Port of Vancouver to pursue current opportunities for new jobs in the community.

Despite the many benefits of doing business on the Columbia River, the Port of Vancouver has no large areas of marine and industrial land readily available to offer prospective customers. Much of the port's developed land is already occupied and our industrial buildings are operating at a 97 percent occupancy.

Regional land studies have shown that only about 1,600 acres are available for new industrial development in southwest Washington. The current Comprehensive Plan for Clark County alone estimates that we will need at least 2,400 acres over the next 20 years to maintain a competitive supply of industrial land.

Almost half of that industrial land base is right here at the port's 1,094-acre Columbia Gateway property which has been set aside for marine and industrial development. It is the largest contiguous parcel of marine and industrial zoned land under a single ownership in this region of Washington and Oregon.

Columbia Gateway's proximity to the current port operations, with its river, road, and rail access, makes it a prime location for new industries. It will give the port the property we need to attract new, reliable industrial business to Clark County.

The port is working closely with the City of Vancouver on the future of Columbia Gateway. In our efforts to use port land responsibly, we take great care in planning for its development.

Lowlands earmarked

When the 1986 Habitek citizen consortium designated land use in the 13,000-acre Vancouver Lowlands, it earmarked this property for marine and industrial development.

Even now, it will take at least another three to five years to complete the extensive environmental review and permitting process before the first shovel of dirt can be turned.

We take our role as economic and environmental stewards seriously. We understand that economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive, and we strive to maintain a balance between them.

Port of Vancouver activities generate almost $800 million in business revenues and contribute to over $28.5 million in state and local taxes. Some 5,500 people rely on the port for their source of income, generating an annual payroll that exceeds $241 million.

Developments at the port have a ripple effect on our entire region. More than 40,000 family wage jobs are directly created by Columbia River trade in the region, and an additional 59,000 jobs are influenced by trade on the river. New industries at the port will only increase that number.

For 90 years, the community's economic well-being is what has driven the port's policies and decision-making. This approach has served us well for 90 years, and we plan to carry it on through the 21st century.