Port of Benton: Our number one job is jobs
The Port of Benton is inaugurating 2020 with a robust focus on developing opportunities to help businesses grow. Our number one job is jobs!
To help prioritize our efforts, we are developing a revamped port strategic and capital plan.This process allows us to listen and receive vital input from the public and our partners about future economic development initiatives.
We also kicked off master plan updates for the Richland Airport and Crow Butte Park.
There are more than 70 active-service aircraft based at our Richland general aviation airport, along with Lifeflight operations. The master plan update will direct our development efforts to support current and future users and aviation-related businesses. Visit rldmasterplan.com to learn how you can provide input.
At Crow Butte, the port is making significant investments to repair facilities and prepare the park for this year’s camping and recreation season. The update to Crow Butte’s master plan allows us to hear from park users and plan for future improvements through our ongoing partnership with the state’s recreation grant program.
To attract new advanced manufacturing industries to our region, we are coordinating strategic marketing efforts with the City of Richland and TRIDEC. We have also been meeting with local companies, participating in Mid-Columbia Energy Initiative’s small modular reactor committee, MyTri2030, and working with the Tri-Cities Research District board.
A $1.5 million grant and a $250,000 loan through the state of Washington will enable us to make much-needed fixes along our 16 miles of rail, specifically to railway bridges. We want to ensure this asset remains safe, reliable and supports the companies in north Richland that rely on this rail system.
In north Richland, the City of Richland and port have invested $11.9 million since 2009 for roads and broadband. This investment has already delivered over $494 million in private investment and more than 600 jobs.
Thanks to our partnership with Benton County, we are planning improvements in the 72-acre Richland Innovation Center to create private investment opportunities for agri-business, clean energy, education and research. Summerlin Investments will begin construction of two distinct 20,000-square-foot light industrial spaces and Croskrey Investments has its office and light industrial space underway nearby the Richland Innovation Center.
The bottom line – north Richland is ready for business with land available for commercial, light and heavy industrial.
To support the Tri-Cities’ entrepreneurial community, the port awarded funds to FUSE SPC and State of Motion from our 2018 U.S. Economic Development Administration i6 Challenge grant. This award has resulted in the creation of a $1.2 million FUSE Fund to assist local startups and develop educational and mentoring programs for small businesses. This is a major step forward to support future job makers. Our collaboration with the Tri-Cities Research District and Tri-Cities Tech Summit will help build and expand on this momentum.
The USS Triton Sail Park is a key port asset that helps support regional tourism. We are coordinating efforts with Visit Tri-Cities, B Reactor Tours, Manhattan National Park, The Reach, LIGO and WSU Tri-Cities to attract visitors who are interested in STEM tourism to our exceptional communities.
Our newest Vintner’s Village building in Prosser is full. Domanico Cellars and Wautoma Springs wineries, Sister to Sister gift and clothing store, and our partner Prosser Economic Development Association are open for business.
Performing efficiently and effectively with the resources entrusted to us is a responsibility that we take seriously. In the years ahead, we will continue to work with our economic development partners to create an environment ideal for business and workforce growth.
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Port of Benton: Our number one job is jobs."