WASHINGTON: Politicians often rise to public office behind vague promises to focus on economic development and job creation. In many cases, the office they seek lacks the power or mandate to accomplish such a feat beyond simply improving economic conditions by fairly managing and investing taxpayer money. That’s not the case for the Port of Centralia, which considers the creation of employment opportunities the driving force of its mission.
The Port of Centralia has had great success in this sometimes arduous task. Centralia Station is just one example. The Port of Centralia unveiled plans for the project in 2013, showcasing drawings of what will become a hub of business activity off of the Interstate 5 interchange at Mellen Street in Centralia. Earlier this year, The Chronicle reported that the port had secured the interest of Fred Meyer to be the anchor tenant on the land, which will also be home to dozens of additional businesses if project leaders are able to cross a few more hurdles. Powell Development, which purchased the property from the Port earlier this year, will need the assistance of the city of Centralia on utilities and roads along with a federal permit for freeway access to bring Centralia Station to fruition, but the path looks promising.
The construction of the project alone would employ the full time equivalent of 410 workers while supporting 575 local jobs and create $4.6 million in state and local taxes, according to a report by ECONorthwest released last October. The same report found that when Centralia Station is at full capacity, the businesses would employ 535 people in Centralia directly, earn $118 million in annual sales and pay almost $7.1 million in state and local taxes. Meanwhile, at the port’s property on Galvin Road, a grocery distribution center is expected to bring in 200 to 400 jobs. Details, including the name of the company, have not been released, but we look forward to the announcements to come.
The port’s excellence in economic development is certainly not new. The 32 businesses operating at the port’s industrial parks employ 937 people and pay $53.5 million a year in salaries, wages and benefits, according to information provided last year. True economic development is time-consuming and difficult. It goes beyond buzzwords and pie-in-the-sky promises made by politicians seeking another term in office. We’re thankful for the work of past and present Port of Centralia commissioners as well as that of Executive Director Kyle Heaton.
