PORT TOWNSEND — Economic forces, including the Port of Port Townsend, Washington State University Team Jefferson and the Peninsula Development District, are banding together to create a “green manufacturing zone” at Jefferson County International Airport.
“I estimate it will be three years before we have our first business in there,” said Port Executive Director Larry Crockett.
The business park would be home to businesses that build components for industries such as solar and wind energy generation — an “airport eco park,” in the words of Bill Wise, Team Jefferson operations team chair.
100 future jobs
Crockett estimate that the property could support enough new business to support about 100 future jobs.
Crockett said he and other port representatives will meet with county Department of Community Development officials to begin an application process to rezone 24 residential acres of land for manufacturing south of the airport’s runways closest to state Highway 19.
The property is the site of a future East Jefferson Fire-Rescue fire station that city and district leaders hope to build in an environmentally friendly design that would contain stormwater runoff on the site.
“Ever since I’ve been here for 10 years, the port commissioners have been trying to work with the county to rezone this,” he said.
“Our problem is it’s not in the urban growth area.”
The Port Hadlock/Irondale Urban Growth Area is designated around the business core of Port Hadlock and Irondale, with the airport about three miles north, between state highways 19 and 20.
Crockett said the three Jefferson County commissioners have given port leaders “some good feedback” on the proposal, which also is supported by the county’s economic development arm, Team Jefferson.
“We’re excited about it,” Crockett said. “It’s certainly something of interest in the community.”
Broader uses
Wise said he sees even broader uses for the park, such as food preparation and cold storage.
“I think we see a need for additional food processing capability, such as a commercial kitchen.
Team Jefferson, through Washington State University, has long promoted expanded small agricultural operations in the county.
“Some farmers are looking at ways to extend the seasons for their crops,” he explained.
Coming up with creative options is key, he said.
Susan Bauer, Peninsula Development District regional coordinator based in Port Angeles, said she is in the process of providing additional information requested by Seattle-based Economic Development Administration officials who are interested in the green manufacturing park proposal.
“The location is just so perfect right there by the airport,” Bauer said.
“And being in an area between Port Townsend and Port Hadlock, that is really prime for some type of development like this.
“It’s just such a wonderful project. I am so glad that the port had this property.”
Federal funding
The federal Economic Development Administration, which is part of the Department of Commerce, is considering an $80,000 grant for a feasibility study of the proposal, Crockett said.
The port must keep the airport in aviation-related businesses because it is mainly funded by the Federal Aviation Administration.
However, adjacent port-owned property south of the airport has been considered for other economic development projects.
Two-county district
The Peninsula Development District, formerly the Peninsula Development Association, hired Bauer in May to run regional economic development endeavors in both Jefferson and Clallam counties.
Its board includes Katherine Baril, WSU Extension executive director, Crockett, Port of Port Townsend Commissioner Herb Beck, Jefferson County Public Utility District Commissioner Wayne King, Port Townsend Deputy Mayor George Randels, Jefferson County Commissioner David Sullivan and WSU Team Jefferson public relations representative Danille Turissini.
Several elected Clallam County and tribal leaders are also on the board.
Founded in 1984, the group’s main objective is to foster a cooperative effort in planning, development, and implementation of local and regional plans, programs and projects which will increase the economic activity in the area and improve the quality of life of its citizens.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
