Our local port district falls under the Port of Pasco. A Port district is a municipal corporation, organized under state law and authorized by a majority vote of the residents in the proposed district, and is governed by a locally elected board of commissioners. The elected office is a six year term, our current commissioners are Vicki Gordon, Jean Ryckman and Jim Klindworth.
When ports were first formed in the early 1900s, their primary purpose was to provide facilities for marine transportation and commerce. Over the years, the Legislature has expanded the list of port powers and functions. Some ports deal with all aspects of economic development, others with only one or two. They may:
• Develop lands for industrial and commercial needs.
• Provide general economic development programs.
• Buy, lease and sell property.
• Provide air and water pollution control works.
• Operate trade centers and export trading companies.
• Establish and operate foreign trade zones.
• Promote tourism.
Ports are, by their charge, economic development organizations. Traditionally, ports focus on a mix of transportation – water, rail and air – and property/infrastructure to facilitate job creation. The Port of Pasco has long, successfully followed this formula. Whether attracting new business to the region or assisting existing businesses in expanding, the Port has worked to maximize our role in economic and work force development.
The Port of Pasco also recognizes the importance to taking a broader role in economic development. Taking leadership in helping create a strategic, long-range plan for the region, assisting with business development programs and working cooperatively with community and regional partners. They believe their economic development efforts help keep the talented workforce here and create new opportunities for work force development.
The Port of Pasco hosts different events throughout the year for and with the community, they also offer VIP tours for businesses, individuals and community groups to see what new things are happening within the Port. The Port of Pasco Commission meetings are open to the public and are held the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 10:30am at the Port of Pasco Administration Office.
The Port of Pasco’s mission “We connect people and products whether by air, land, or water. We help businesses grow by offering space for building, manufacturing, processing and creating. We grow the economy by creating opportunities for investment and growth.”
For more information on the Port of Pasco and all that they offer visit their website portofpasco.org or call 509-547-3378. The Port office is located in Pasco at 1110 Osprey Pointe Ave.
