Port of Vancouver “Delivers Possibilities” at Port Re:Port

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Economic development is happening, on the ground now at the Port of Vancouver USA, and that’s the theme for Thursday’s Port Re:Port, “Delivering Possibilities”.

Port Re:Port, the annual state of the port breakfast, is set for Thursday, Feb. 4 from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay.

In his State of the Port Address, Executive Director Larry Paulson will cite evidence of the types of economic development and jobs currently happening at the port – which calls itself the “Port of Possibility”.
 
He will also review the port’s cargo performance for 2009 and provide a look into 2010’s expected performance.

As an example of the economic impact delivered by the port in 2009, two Vancouver firms – HDJ Design Group and BergerABAM – have sustained jobs as a result of development of port properties, including Terminal 5 and the former Rufener Farm, now known as Centennial Industrial Park, despite the troubled times presented by the economy.

Thanks to port projects, both firms sustained jobs including the high-visibility construction-related jobs including surveyors, engineers and planners, but also behind-the-scenes positions such as information technology, administrative support and other jobs related to the daily operations of business not directly tied to construction.

“Keeping these jobs here in our community is important,” said HDJ Design Group’s Greg Jellison. “Most of our staff lives and spends money in this community. It keeps our economy going.”

Current port projects include the construction of the Terminal 5 Unit Train Facility (Rotschy, Inc. of Yacolt, more than 100 jobs); deconstruction of the buildings on the former Rufener Farm – now Centennial Industrial Park – property (15-20 jobs); and various other projects around the port that total another 35-40 jobs. Bonneville Power Administration also has jobs on the ground in the Vancouver Lowlands decommissioning and dismantling the substation that formerly served Alcoa Aluminum on the property that is now the port’s Terminal 5.

“Economic development is really the heart of this story,” said BergerABAM’s Helen Devery. “Jobs provided by the Port of Vancouver’s development are providing the economic activity that this community badly needs. In fact, the port is one of the few bright spots that keep this community’s recovery moving forward.”

Construction of the port’s West Vancouver Freight Access rail project will account for as many as 1,900 construction and construction-related jobs. At full build-out, the port expects as many as 1,000 permanent jobs to occupy the 218-acre Terminal 5.

The 58-acre Centennial Industrial Park, which is ready for development and zoned light industrial, would support hundreds of jobs as well.

Port tenant Great Western Malting is also preparing for major construction of new facilities within its own leasehold, providing engineering jobs today at the east end of the port property.

Paulson will also report that while some commodities – particularly steel, lumber, and aluminum, among others – were down in 2009 due to the global economy, others – including wind energy components, heavy lift project cargo, steel scrap and malted barley – continue to grow.

From the Port Commission’s perspective, Oliver will highlight the policy work and flexibility in business operations, helping tenants navigate the economic storm. Oliver is also expected to talk about fiscal responsibility, recalling the commission’s leadership to pay for port development as it goes – rather than all at once.

Port Re:Port will be taped for later cablecast by CVTV. The show will also be made available online at www.cvtv.org.

About the Port of Vancouver USA
The Port of Vancouver USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

The Port of Vancouver is in the midst of a year full of projects and developments that will lead to vital job creation, economic stimulation and environmental preservation. By diversifying its cargo mix between bulk commodities, breakbulk and project cargos, the port is responsible for job generation and significant contributions to the tax base for not only its own community, but also the state of Washington. Current expansion of the port’s rail system and development of new port industrial and marine properties will bring new jobs – both short term and long term – and the preservation of wetlands, the creation of enhanced wildlife habitat, and make way for more green/sustainable business partners operating from the port. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.

– POV –

At A Glance

Who: Port of Vancouver Commission President Jerry Oliver and Executive Director Larry Paulson
What: Port Re:Port
When: February 4, 2010,7:30-9 a.m.
Where: Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay
Quick Facts: The theme of Port Re:Port is “Delivering Possibilities” ... the State of the Port Address will offer sustained jobs as evidence.