At the December 2024 Port of Columbia Commission meeting a presentation of the railroad appraisal was given by R.L Banks & Associates. There have been several requests for access to that presentation. Click here to view the slide deck.
Port of Columbia and Partners Adopt Updated Cooperative Parks Master Plan
The Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners, in coordination with its community municipal partners, has made updates to the Cooperative Parks Master Plan. This plan was adopted by the Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners on July 9, 2024, at the Port Commission meeting. The municipal partners- Columbia County, the City of Dayton, the Town of Starbuck, and Columbia County Parks and Recreation Pool District- have also formally adopted this plan. All entities adopting the plan help these partners be eligible for future funding and grant opportunities.
A copy of the updated plan may be viewed here or in person at the Port office at 1 Port Way, Dayton, WA.
Notice of Preliminary Budget and Public Hearing
Notice is hereby given that the Preliminary Budget for the Port of Columbia for 2022 has been prepared and is on file at the Port Main Office at 1 Port Way, Dayton, WA. The budget can also be viewed on the Port’s website at www.portofcolumbia.org/port-info/policies-plans-budget/. Any taxpayer may obtain a hard copy of said budget at the Port office during regular business hours. A public hearing on the budget will be held November 10, 2021 at 3:30 pm during the Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners regular meeting via Zoom. The Zoom meeting link is http://bit.ly/PortZoom and can also be found on the homepage of our website at www.portofcolumbia.org.
Dated at Dayton, Columbia County, Washington, on the 27th day of October and the 3rd day of November, 2021.
Click here to download the budget hearing notice Oct 2021
Small Business Start-Up Grants
The Port of Columbia has opened a new grant opportunity for start-up businesses in Columbia County. Through funding provided by Innovia, a private foundation that serves eastern Washington and northern Idaho, the Port of Columbia is offering micro-grants to start-up businesses. Grants not to exceed $5,000 will be awarded to qualifying businesses upon review and recommendation by a local committee.
Qualifications for applying include, but are not limited to:
- Business Plan
- Business License
- Ability to have a business location physically secured, in Columbia County, within 30 days of the grant award
- Copies of estimates of planned expenditures or invoices of expenses incurred
- Must be a business that has not yet started operating or has not been in operation more than 3 months
- Has not received any previous grants from the Port of Columbia
The Port received a $15,000 award from Innovia for the program, and will be passing 100% of the funds through to start-up businesses.
In 2020, the Port offered a similar program with funds received from Innovia. That program assisted in the location of two new businesses in downtown Dayton – Main Street Marketplace and Table Rock Meat Co.
Grant information and an application form can be found on the Port’s website at https://portofcolumbia.org/economic-development/business-assistance/ . Applications are due September 30th.
Working Washington 4.0
The Washington State Department of Commerce sent out a press release today announcing the new Working Washington 4.0 small business grant program. The application portal will be open for 12 days starting Monday, March 29 and closing Friday, April 9th. Applications will be handled by the Department of Commerce through an online portal. MORE INFO HERE
Landscaping & Weed Control RFPs Sought
The Port of Columbia is seeking Requests for Proposals (RFP) for professional services from qualified firms for the purpose of landscaping, irrigation maintenance & weed/pest control services at the Rockhill Industrial Park, Blue Mountain Station and other Port owned properties in Dayton, WA. It is the Port’s intent to use the information to enter into contract(s) for services for 2021. Information submitted should include a list of qualifications, proof of WA State licensing, proof of insurance, hourly labor rate, and materials mark-up. The Port of Columbia encourages women and minority-owned businesses to apply. MORE INFO HERE
Comp Plan Updates To Be Considered
Updates and administrative changes to the Port of Columbia’s Comprehensive Plan will be considered for adoption at the Port of Columbia regular commission meeting on February 10, 2021 at 3:30 pm. A public hearing will be held to take comments on the document, which can be viewed here. Proposed changes are tracked in red. Please contact the Port office at 509-382-2577 or jennie@portofcolumbia.org if you have questions about the plan. Instructions for joining the meeting and the public hearing via Zoom will be posted with the meeting agenda on Monday, February 8.
New Working Washington 3.0 Grant Program Open
The Washington State Department of Commerce has opened a new round of small business grant funding aimed at providing assistance to businesses hurt by the most recent COVID-19 restrictions. Instead of being facilitated by local agencies this time (Port), the state will be handling the application process. To review eligibility information and apply, visit the Working Washington 3.0 webpage. Port staff is ready to answer questions and provided help as needed. Please call 509-382-2577 or email jennie@portofcolumbia.org for assistance.
2021 Budget Hearing Set
The Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday, November 10th at 3:30 pm to hear comments on the proposed 2021 budget, which can be viewed here. The meeting will take place via Zoom. Instructions for joining the meeting are on the agenda above.
Last Call for Grants
October 30th is the deadline to turn in applications for the Port of Columbia COVID-19 Small Business Relief fund. Has your business been financially harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic? Is your business in Columbia County, WA? Do you have 10 employees or less? You may be eligible for funding. visit our COVID-19 page for details, and read the press release here.