By Karen Robes Meeks
Small and budding entrepreneurs will get the chance to develop and grow in Thurston County, thanks to an interlocal agreement recently struck by the Port of Olympia and the city of Lacey.
The agreement allows for entrepreneurs and new businesses to have entry-level tenant space in the Lacey Gateway area to nurture and expand their enterprises and connect them to resources such as the Lacey MakerSpace, South Puget Sound Community College Center for Business and Innovation, and Saint Martin’s University.
“This is a big step in the Port’s renewed focus on creating economic opportunities for small and emerging businesses that want to grow and contribute to a prosperous Thurston County,” said Port Commissioner Joe Downing.
In the coming months, the port and city will put together a market analysis to identify potential tenants and design improvements needed to accommodate future tenants. The port will be in charge of the study and future operations at the space; the city will contribute funds for the market analysis and improvements to the space.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Long Beach Community Health Grants
By Karen Robes Meeks
Long Beach programs that help those dealing with respiratory and cardiopulmonary issues will be receiving a financial boost from the Port of Long Beach.
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners recently voted to give $3 million from the port’s Community Grants Program toward the effort.
Recipients include:
St. Mary Medical Center for its Respiratory Rescue Program, which offers mobile health screenings, education and home visits;
The Children’s Clinic for Breathe Better Together;
MemorialCare Medical Center Foundation for its Community Health Worker Asthma Intervention Program;
City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services for its Cambodian Community Asthma Management Program; and
California Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Center for its Respiratory Health Improvement Program. “The Port considers itself a part of this community, and we listen to our neighbors. The grants program was created in direct response to the community’s advocacy,” said Harbor Commission Vice President Tracy Egoscue. “This kind of targeted help to our neighbors was exactly what we envisioned when we started the Community Grants Program. We’re honored to help fund these projects to improve community health.”
Long Beach programs that help those dealing with respiratory and cardiopulmonary issues will be receiving a financial boost from the Port of Long Beach.
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners recently voted to give $3 million from the port’s Community Grants Program toward the effort.
Recipients include:
St. Mary Medical Center for its Respiratory Rescue Program, which offers mobile health screenings, education and home visits;
The Children’s Clinic for Breathe Better Together;
MemorialCare Medical Center Foundation for its Community Health Worker Asthma Intervention Program;
City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services for its Cambodian Community Asthma Management Program; and
California Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Center for its Respiratory Health Improvement Program. “The Port considers itself a part of this community, and we listen to our neighbors. The grants program was created in direct response to the community’s advocacy,” said Harbor Commission Vice President Tracy Egoscue. “This kind of targeted help to our neighbors was exactly what we envisioned when we started the Community Grants Program. We’re honored to help fund these projects to improve community health.”
LA Port Wins Globalization Award
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Los Angeles’ Trade Connect Program was recently honored with the Responding to Globalization award at the seventh annual Orange County Business School’s Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards.
The awards took place Nov. 16 and were sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co. and spotlights those that have enacted policies and programs that foster job creation and remove barriers that hinder economic growth.
The port’s Trade Connect Program was created to help educate firms, create jobs and nurture more trade flow in Southern California through seminars. The program has garnered various awards, including a pair of Presidential "E Awards,” considered the county’s highest export trade honor.
The Port of Los Angeles’ Trade Connect Program was recently honored with the Responding to Globalization award at the seventh annual Orange County Business School’s Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards.
The awards took place Nov. 16 and were sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co. and spotlights those that have enacted policies and programs that foster job creation and remove barriers that hinder economic growth.
The port’s Trade Connect Program was created to help educate firms, create jobs and nurture more trade flow in Southern California through seminars. The program has garnered various awards, including a pair of Presidential "E Awards,” considered the county’s highest export trade honor.
Bellingham Prioritizes Infrastructure
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Bellingham’s recently approved $58 million budget for 2018 prioritizes investments in infrastructure, environmental cleanup, the downtown waterfront and economic development. The port’s fiscal plan includes:
More than $7 million invested into Bellingham Shipping Terminal for large equipment, power upgrades and main pier improvements;
$2.6 million toward a new commercial fishing web house in Blaine and the removal of the current web house to improve the layout of Blaine Marine Industrial Park;
$12.5 million to clean up historic contamination at Fairhaven Shipyard, improve marine habitat and modernize aging infrastructure; and
More than $1 million in new infrastructure to continue supporting the Waterfront District. Next year, the port also plans to support the Fairhaven Quiet Zone and curb train horn noise by upgrading the railroad crossings at Harris Avenue, the Alaska Ferry access road, and in Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park.
The Port of Bellingham’s recently approved $58 million budget for 2018 prioritizes investments in infrastructure, environmental cleanup, the downtown waterfront and economic development. The port’s fiscal plan includes:
More than $7 million invested into Bellingham Shipping Terminal for large equipment, power upgrades and main pier improvements;
$2.6 million toward a new commercial fishing web house in Blaine and the removal of the current web house to improve the layout of Blaine Marine Industrial Park;
$12.5 million to clean up historic contamination at Fairhaven Shipyard, improve marine habitat and modernize aging infrastructure; and
More than $1 million in new infrastructure to continue supporting the Waterfront District. Next year, the port also plans to support the Fairhaven Quiet Zone and curb train horn noise by upgrading the railroad crossings at Harris Avenue, the Alaska Ferry access road, and in Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park.
Friday, December 1, 2017
Port of Oakland Agrees to Local Contracts
By Karen Robes Meeks
After more than 20 months of negotiations, the Port of Oakland, developer CenterPoint and workforce development activists have emerged with an agreement that would prioritize local hiring for construction at Seaport Logistics Complex.
The agreement will emphasize hiring disadvantaged workers and will feature job-training to create a pool of local labor. It also includes living wages and benefits.
“Community leaders, CenterPoint and the Port demonstrated how large-scale development deals can offer shared benefit to our neighboring community, empower local residents and strengthen our economy,” said Port of Oakland Social Responsibility Director Amy Tharpe. “The goal is to level the playing field and provide community members, regardless of perceived barriers, with priority access to jobs and opportunity.”
The work will involve a 440,000-square-foot distribution facility to be built at the former Oakland Army Base property, the first building at the complex.
"This agreement is part of the growing grassroots movement across the country to win locally and set in motion a wave of larger national change," said Nikki Fortunato Bas, Executive Director of the Partnership for Working Families. "This is how we take back our cities, our communities and our democracy: policy by policy on the local level."
After more than 20 months of negotiations, the Port of Oakland, developer CenterPoint and workforce development activists have emerged with an agreement that would prioritize local hiring for construction at Seaport Logistics Complex.
The agreement will emphasize hiring disadvantaged workers and will feature job-training to create a pool of local labor. It also includes living wages and benefits.
“Community leaders, CenterPoint and the Port demonstrated how large-scale development deals can offer shared benefit to our neighboring community, empower local residents and strengthen our economy,” said Port of Oakland Social Responsibility Director Amy Tharpe. “The goal is to level the playing field and provide community members, regardless of perceived barriers, with priority access to jobs and opportunity.”
The work will involve a 440,000-square-foot distribution facility to be built at the former Oakland Army Base property, the first building at the complex.
"This agreement is part of the growing grassroots movement across the country to win locally and set in motion a wave of larger national change," said Nikki Fortunato Bas, Executive Director of the Partnership for Working Families. "This is how we take back our cities, our communities and our democracy: policy by policy on the local level."
Long Beach Receives EPA Funds
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Long Beach recently received a financial boost to help its marine partners have more environmental-friendly equipment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will give the port $2.4 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Act funds to help Stevedoring Services of America (SSA), Foss Maritime and Curtin Maritime toward equipment that is zero-emission or the cleanest available.
The funds will allow SSA to make three rubber-tired gantry cranes electric and allow Foss and Curtin to modernize four tugboats with the cleanest-running engines.
“Every step we take to cut air pollution is one toward our ultimate goal of being the world’s first zero-emission seaport,” said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. “We thank the EPA for providing funds to facilitate these projects and improve the health of our community.”
The equipment is expected to be in place by late 2019.
The Port of Long Beach recently received a financial boost to help its marine partners have more environmental-friendly equipment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will give the port $2.4 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Act funds to help Stevedoring Services of America (SSA), Foss Maritime and Curtin Maritime toward equipment that is zero-emission or the cleanest available.
The funds will allow SSA to make three rubber-tired gantry cranes electric and allow Foss and Curtin to modernize four tugboats with the cleanest-running engines.
“Every step we take to cut air pollution is one toward our ultimate goal of being the world’s first zero-emission seaport,” said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. “We thank the EPA for providing funds to facilitate these projects and improve the health of our community.”
The equipment is expected to be in place by late 2019.
First Tenant for Kalama Facility
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Kalama has secured its first tenant for its new 110,000-square-foot industrial facility. The port has inked a lease with Bridger Steel to occupy 30,000-square feet of space for office and warehouse use, as well as 10,000-square feet of sheltered area for truck loading at Kalama River Industrial Park. Officials plan to break ground in December.
Bridger Steel, whose Kalama facility is expected to open summer 2018, is a manufacturer of panel systems that is used for roofing, siding and interior applications.
“The Port of Kalama is the ideal location for us to expand our business facilities and better serve our customers in the Pacific Northwest,” said Bridger Steel Inc. National Sales and Marketing Director Steve Collins. “Kalama’s location and proximity to I-5 will enable us to serve a very large area of the Pacific Northwest very quickly.”
The Port of Kalama has secured its first tenant for its new 110,000-square-foot industrial facility. The port has inked a lease with Bridger Steel to occupy 30,000-square feet of space for office and warehouse use, as well as 10,000-square feet of sheltered area for truck loading at Kalama River Industrial Park. Officials plan to break ground in December.
Bridger Steel, whose Kalama facility is expected to open summer 2018, is a manufacturer of panel systems that is used for roofing, siding and interior applications.
“The Port of Kalama is the ideal location for us to expand our business facilities and better serve our customers in the Pacific Northwest,” said Bridger Steel Inc. National Sales and Marketing Director Steve Collins. “Kalama’s location and proximity to I-5 will enable us to serve a very large area of the Pacific Northwest very quickly.”
