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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 11, 2002

PORT OF WALLA WALLA

ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY COMPLETED

Port Commission President Fred Bennett announced today the results of an economic impact study undertaken to determine the Port of Walla Walla’s impact on Walla Walla County. According to Commissioner Bennett, “The study analyzed those businesses that the Port has directly assisted and determined their contributions related to employment, payroll and property taxes.” The results of the study are as follows:

• Port assisted businesses represent 23.1% of Walla Walla County’s employed labor force.
  
  
• In 2002, Port assisted companies will employ 5,564 citizens, which will result in a payroll exceeding $110 million.
  
  
• In 2002, Port assisted companies will pay $5,024,286 in property taxes. This represents 12.3% of all property taxes collected in Walla Walla County.
  
  
• Five out of the top ten largest taxpayers in Walla Walla County are Port assisted businesses. They are:
  • Boise Cascade Corporation - $3,119,556
  • IBP, Inc. - $479,058
  • Broetje Orchards - $588,549
  • J.R. Simplot - $329,071
  • Northwest Grain Growers - $223,547
    
    
• For every $1.00 the Port receives in taxpayer support (2002 = $1,262,669) businesses assisted by the Port will pay more than $3.98 in property taxes ($5,024,286).

Commissioner Bennett said, “The Port has made a significant contribution towards enhancing the economic vitality of Walla Walla County. I was particularly pleased to see that for every $1.00 the Port receives in taxpayer support, businesses assisted by the Port pay more than $3.98 in property taxes. This represents a solid return on investment for our county residents.”

Founded in 1952, the Port is the lead economic development agency for Walla Walla County. The Port’s primary mission is the creation and retention of family wage jobs. The Port is governed by three elected Commissioners. They are Ken Jantz, a Waitsburg wheat rancher; Dr. Fred Bennett, a retired professor of engineering at Walla Walla College; and Paul Schneidmiller President and Chief Executive officer of World Wide Travel Service, Inc.

For more information please contact Jim Kuntz, Executive Director at (509)525-3100 or visit the Port’s web site at www.portwallawalla.com.