By Karen Robes Meeks
Last year, more than 24,000 area jobs were supported by Clark County’s second largest employer, Port of Vancouver, USA, an uptick of nearly 4,000 jobs since 2014. That number includes 3,910 direct jobs at port facilities, according to an independent study update conducted by Martin Associates.
“The port has done a great job keeping us working,” said Cager Clabaugh, President of the ILWU Local 4. “They’ve attracted a wide variety of cargoes that keep the ships coming, and keep our members on the job, even with global trade uncertainties.”
The region saw several economic benefits, thanks to the port, including $753.3 million in wages, salaries and local consumption, average annual salary of $56,415 for every direct job created by the port, $132.4 million in state and local taxes, and $386.2 million in local purchases.
“It is exciting to hear the positive results of the port’s economic benefit study,” said Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “The Port of Vancouver is an important economic driver in our region and plays a vital role in job creation and continuing the Columbia River’s rich history of trade.”
