If the Port of Woodland's goal is to bring business and jobs to Southwest Washington, consider this a success story because they've been doing just that for a half-century.
Next week, the port celebrates its 50th anniversary with an open house and a historic look back. Among those celebrating the milestone will be Commissioner Jerry Peterson, who has served on the port's board for nearly three decades.
"I've been with the port for 28 years. I know all the old people," laughed Peterson. "Much has changed over the years. The port didn't always have a lot of money, but we figured out how to be self-supportive and I think that is very important."
Peterson said the port prides itself on the ability to grow while reducing its tax bite on property owners.
"No matter what, you have to be able to stand on your own feet some day as a business," said Peterson.
Fellow commissioner Dale Boon agrees.
"It's outstanding that we've been around for 50 years," Boon said. "We're trying to be more self-sufficient at all times and we've made great strides in that. Being able to grow while becoming less reliant on tax dollars has made us a major industrial encourager for businesses to come to town."
And businesses have come to town. Peterson says companies like Columbia River Carbonates and RSG Forest Products Inc. would never have been able to come to Woodland if not for the port.
"We did a lot of things to help those companies get here and they are all very good clients," said Peterson. They are really good businesses that employ a lot of people and they're here for the long term. I think that's what our objective is."
Having a clear objective that everyone can buy into has been vital to the port's longevity. That tradition, Peterson said, comes from a string of strong leaders.
"We've been able to grow and survive because of really good managers and a strong commission. Everyone seems to get along and we're all on the same page," said Peterson.
Looking ahead, the commissioners said the Port of Woodland is in good shape and ready to work with its clients and the community to continue creating jobs well into the future.
"Some [clients] are going through tough times right now," said Boon. "But we've been able to work with them to help keep them in business and still be able to get a return on our investment. After all, a good relationship with your clients is what's most important."
The Port of Woodland celebrates its 50th anniversary on Tuesday, October 19th. For more information, see our Datebook on page 4.
