NEW YORK: The Port of Morrow will hold a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of its new $14.5 million cold storage warehouse.
A new freezer warehouse is open at the Port of Morrow in Boardman, where food processors can store frozen potatoes and vegetables before shipping their product to stores.
The $14.5 million project includes both the warehouse and a 2,500-foot rail spur on Lewis and Clark Drive in the port’s East Beach Industrial Park.
Port officials will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, though the facility actually began operating June 2 with 24 employees and enough capacity for 40 million pounds of frozen foods.
Jim Barnes, general manager of the warehouse, said their primary customer is ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, which completed a massive expansion of its french fry plant at the port last year.
Other processors, such as Boardman Foods and Tillamook Cheese, could also benefit from added cold storage at the port.
“There has been a shortage of cold storage warehousing space in the Boardman area for a number of years,” Barnes said. “This is just another service we can provide for businesses at the Port of Morrow.”
The Port of Morrow charted 88 percent growth between 2008-2013, tied closely to the region’s agricultural economy. A portion of the warehouse funding — $6 million — comes from the Oregon Department of Transportation’s ConnectOregon grant program.
Wednesday’s event will begin at noon, featuring brief tours of the facility and catering by Dickey’s Barbecue. The warehouse is located at 73336 Lewis and Clark Drive in Boardman.
