Joseph Keown

This Economic Development Plan for Walla Walla County aims to enhance economic health by retaining and creating living-wage jobs and fostering private sector capital investment. The plan is guided by six core elements: small business development, existing business retention and expansion, business recruitment, marketing and advertising, site and infrastructure development, economic profiling, and economic development advocacy. Its ultimate goal is to improve the economic well-being of families throughout the county.

This Economic Development Plan for Walla Walla County aims to enhance the economic health of the region by retaining and creating living wage jobs. The plan focuses on six core elements: Small Business Development, Existing Business Retention/Expansion, Business Recruitment, Marketing & Advertising, Site and Infrastructure Development, Economic Profiling, and Economic Development Advocacy. It outlines strategies to achieve these goals through various initiatives and collaborations with community partners, ultimately benefiting all communities within the county.

This document outlines the Public Involvement Plan for the Port of Walla Walla's Comprehensive Port Plan, which serves as a roadmap for the use and development of Port properties. The Comprehensive Port Plan aims to define the Port's mission, goals, objectives, and policies guiding activities, property transactions, and investment decisions, while also describing existing facilities and proposed improvements for economic development. The Public Involvement Plan details strategies for inter-jurisdictional collaboration, community involvement, and stakeholder engagement through public meetings, key informant surveys, web-based outreach, public comment periods, and targeted outreach to rural communities, ensuring broad input and consensus for the strategic plan.

This Comprehensive Port Plan for the Port of Walla Walla outlines the organization's long-term direction to enhance the economic vitality of Walla Walla County through job creation and retention. Its strategic pillars focus on increasing economic vitality by attracting and retaining businesses, maintaining an ample supply of land and buildings, strategically investing in infrastructure, and ensuring flexible real estate transactions. The plan also prioritizes efficient transportation linkages, increasing constituent knowledge, and promoting transparency, with the intended outcome of fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life in the region.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several key items. The commission discussed and authorized an amendment to the lease agreement with Refresco Beverages US, Inc. They also approved entering into a professional services agreement with JUB Engineers, Inc., for a comprehensive planning study at the Wallula Gap Business Park. Additionally, the commission accepted a bid for the Century Pipe Spur Track project and approved a budget for it. Other topics included a lease renewal with Bi-Kay Farms, Inc., a hangar lease agreement with Nelson Construction Corp., and the approval of minimum rate and charge guidelines for the airport in 2026. The Executive Director and staff also provided reports on various matters of Port business.