WALLA WALLA COUNTY’S DIVERSE ECONOMY SERVES IT WELL
Last year, the Walla Walla Valley was fortunate to have a relatively strong economy despite economic challenges at the state and national levels. Walla Walla’s unemployment rate was one of the lowest in the state of Washington. Job growth from 2002 to 2003 has been steady at approximately 2.5% and new construction values during the same period of time grew by $199 million. Walla Walla’s economic success is directly related to its diverse economy. No one industry or company dominates our economy. Employment is spread out among a host of manufacturing, government, agriculture, wholesale and retail jobs as illustrated by the pie chart below:
As the lead economic development agency for Walla Walla County the Port of Walla Walla will be focusing on projects that further strengthen and diversify our economy in 2004.
Four-Laning U.S. Highway 12 Burbank to Walla Walla
Thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Highway 12 Coalition, substantial progress is being made on the four-laning of U.S. Highway 12 between Burbank and the City of Walla Walla.
The U.S. Highway 12 Coalition was formed in August 2001 by a group of public agencies and private businesses to develop a comprehensive strategy to advance Walla Walla’s long sought after goal of four-laning U.S. Highway 12.
Last year, several major milestones were achieved. In February, Congress approved $4.4 million for the project. In May, the Washington State Legislature approved a state transportation revenue package, which added $32.5 million for U.S. Highway 12. Enough money has now been secured to construct a four-lane divided freeway from Burbank to the Wallula Junction. Planning efforts are currently underway to determine the four-lane footprint from Wallula Junction to the City of Walla Walla.
In January of this year Congress approved an additional $4 million as part of the 2004 appropriation bill. This money will be used for design and right of way acquisition for Phase 6, which encompasses the first nine miles of highway from the city of Walla Walla to McDonald Road near Lowden.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Congressman George Nethercutt have been leading the way at the federal level to obtain funding. Senator Maria Cantwell has also been supportive. At the state level, Senator Mike Hewitt and Representative Bill Grant, Dave Mastin and Shirley Hankins deserve credit for making sure U.S. Highway 12 was included in the state transportation package.
In 2004 the Port will be seeking a 2005 federal appropriation of $4 million along with a TEA-21 federal reauthorization request of $29.7 million. If successful Phase 6 construction will commence in the fall of 2006.
Burbank Industrial Park – Public Water System
In order to diversify the tax base and create family wage jobs for the Burbank community, the Port has begun efforts to develop a new industrial park. In December 2002, after many years of effort, the Port successfully traded 122 acres of wetland property located at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in return for 158 acres of developable property adjacent to U.S. Highway 12.
Since acquiring the property, the Port has created an industrial park master plan to help guide its future use. The Plan envisions a mixed-use development including light industrial and commercial areas in an attractively landscaped industrial park environment.
The Port is currently in the process of planning a new public water system to serve the Burbank site. In addition to meeting the needs of the industrial park, the new system will have the capacity to serve other surrounding water districts should they need additional source in the future.
In 2004 the Port will be seeking state and federal financial assistance for the construction of the public water system.
Enhancing Commercial Air Service
Last year Horizon Air reduced the frequency of commercial air service to Walla Walla from four flights per day to three flights per day due to a decline in passenger boardings. In response, the Port embarked on an aggressive program aimed at increasing local passenger boardings. The Port was able to convince Horizon to lower airfares to Seattle to $135 each way. In addition, the Port worked with Horizon’s partner airlines to offer reasonably priced connecting fares to major east coast and west coast destinations. An aggressive advertising campaign followed publicizing the lower airfares. As a result passenger counts increased during the last quarter of 2003 and Horizon has again scheduled a fourth flight.
In 2004, the Port will closely monitor passenger boarding levels. It is critical that the Port and Horizon continue to work together to find the right mix of frequency and pricing to make our market profitable.
Conclusion
To learn more about the Port’s economic development initiatives I would encourage you to visit three informative websites:
James M. Kuntz
Executive Director
Port of Walla Walla