The port, near the Columbia River in Cowlitz County, is making a concerted effort to diversify its assets. For many years, the port dealt mostly in land leases. But it now operates four industrial parks and is developing three marine terminals. It also took ownership of the upscale Columbia Riverfront RV Park this summer.
Diversification provides stability, said Jennifer Wray-Keene, Port of Woodland executive director.
New revenue allows the port to develop more projects, which can feed the pipeline for even more properties in the future.
“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 said.
The RV park, for example, Wray-Keene said, was a big success. The park has become a significant revenue source that’s paying for itself.
With its acquisition of the RV park, as well as its upkeep efforts on port properties, the port is ending the year with 15 employees. It started the year with five.
And Wray-Keene and her team have no plans to sit idle. The port is now wrapping up its fiber optic installation between Ariel and Cougar with plans to expand that into other areas including the Woodland Bottoms and Green Mountain.
The gears are also in motion to develop Austin Point, which could handle 100 to 150 vessel calls per year at a future terminal, and the recreation park nearby. And the port plans to continue work on expanding local infrastructure with its Rose Way Extension project.
Plus, it’s looking to continue adding more industrial parks.
“The goal is job creation,” Wray-Keene said.
People who work close to home are more involved, she said. And a balance of commercial, industrial and residential properties puts more money back into the community.
“It helps reduce the burden on the residential taxpayers by having a strong industrial base,” she added.
