Port District of Chelan County discusses strategic project plans

CHELAN – The Port District of Chelan County met Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Chelan Council Chambers to discuss the Strategic Plan draft, emphasizing goals in their three lines of business: Pangborn Airport, Commercial and Industrial Real Estate, and Economic Development. The plan outlines strategies that are intended to promote business expansion, job growth, and the overall economy within Chelan County. “We would like to get your input about our plan, what we did right, what we did wrong, and what we may have missed,” said Commission President Donn Etherington. The purpose of the meetings is to share the plan, explained Executive Director Patrick Jones, “we really want people to understand what we’re trying to do and any help with improving what we’re intending to do would be greatly appreciated.” 

The meeting commenced with a brief explanation of what power and responsibilities ports have, and their importance within communities. Ports retain the power to tax and power to take imminent domain, and also maintain the ability to build commercial infrastructures and facilities. The Port District of Chelan County has an Associate Development Organization (ADO) responsibility, in which they act as partner to the state, and pursue businesses and opportunities that support the state’s activities within the county. This aspect of the port takes the place of an Economic Development board, which disbanded over a decade ago.

Several topics and goals were discussed in the three areas of business covered by the Port. Highlights of some of the upcoming projects and goals of the Port’s 7-year project plan include:

• Economic Development Goals 1.1 To “be recognized as the ‘go to’ entity and reliable business partner representing greater Chelan County for business expansion and in-bound investment while investing in community infrastructure,” and 1.2 to “partner with other effective regional entities in a local economic development program that results in jobs and new investment.” Both goals are currently in progress, and are continuing to be expanded on. “(We are) communicating with local private businesses already established in the county or who want to relocate to the county, but the general concern is the lack of turnkey ready commercial real estate in the area,” explained Jones. 

• Real Estate Goal 2.1: To “maintain a “ready to go” port real property inventory to accommodate timely local and in-bound investment decisions that complement the economic development priorities of the county and region.” This goal is projected to be started/completed in 2018. 

• Pangborn Memorial Airport Goals 3.3: To “increase commercial flight frequency and destination selection as well as reliability for the business and pleasure traveler of Chelan County while maintaining the viability of general aviation operations.” There are currently three trips to Seattle a day with Alaska Airlines, with an 85 percent load factor, meaning 85 percent of available seats are filled. The Port anticipates Alaska Airlines adding frequency, given the success of the flights, and are also looking at establishing new routes including a Pangborn to San Francisco flight.

Mayor Mike Cooney asked why people aren’t contacting the Port and the city to bring their business to Chelan. Port Commissioner Rory Turner suggested a possible cause, “I think we’re seeing this now Mike, and I think it has to do with the technology needed to get the folks over the pass from Seattle.” Commissioner JC Baldwin then provided input on the subject, “we’re talking about millennials,” she said, “that have these small companies and they’re tired of being over there (on the coast) … these millennials or companies want what they have over there, but they don’t want to be over there anymore, they want to be here, where they can recreate.” Baldwin continued by suggested that Wenatchee appeared to be closer to what they’re used to having, rather than Leavenworth or Chelan, in terms of a live, work, play area. “Part of our ADO effort, we are developing some new work elements into our plan and one of those elements includes establishing a five-industry connectivity: outdoor recreation, technology, real estate development, agriculture, and manufacturing. We want the business leadership from those sectors to tell us what we can do to help them succeed and expand, and also help us identify companies that they would like here in the community, maybe in the same sector but does not compete with them directly,” explained Jones. 

The Port commissioners also stated there have been previous conversations in regard to working with the city of Chelan in the build of a parking facility. It has also been working with Manson Parks and Recreation on the Waterfront Project.