“In the 15 years that
I have been at the Port,
the Airport has never done
better. Passenger boardings
will reach record levels
in 2014 and new business
activity within the
Airport Industrial Park
has been outstanding.”

Jennifer Skoglund
Airport Manager

     A. After schooling and training at Walla Walla Community College, then shop work and management at a local farm supply co-op, Jim Ferraro decided to strike out on his own. The result is Jim’s Precision Fab & Machine in a new 3,600 square foot building at the Walla Walla Regional Airport Industrial Park. Since the building’s completion in mid-2014, Ferraro says he’s in the “perfect location.” More info: jferraro282@gmail.com

     B. This 5,000 square foot building is the new home of Tompkins Appliance Service and Integrity Laundry Solutions. The two-pronged family-owned operation offers over the counter parts sales, in-home repair service and in-shop appliance repair. In addition, Integrity specializes in commercial laundry equipment, design and maintenance and custom laundry service with a client base that includes wineries, resort hotels and motels, sports centers and coin-operated laundries in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Owned and operated by Greg Tompkins, his wife Nancy, daughter Megan and son, Michael, the businesses got their start in 1966 with an in-home appliance repair service founded by Greg’s parents, Duane and Helen Tompkins.
More info: tompkinsappliance.com or integritylaundrysolutions.com

     C. Ron Coleman’s new 10,000 square wine production facility got finished “just in time” for the 2014 grape harvest. The Tamarack Cellars expansion, built adjacent to the old World War II Fire Station where the winery was founded, adds to what Coleman describes as “the everyday workings of a family-owned winery.” Started by Ron and Jamie Coleman in 1998, the winery has grown from its first vintage of 300 cases to current production of some 20,000 cases of Tamarack’s popular Firehouse Red and a selection of limited production single-vineyard reserve blends.
More info: tamarackcellars.com

     D. Walla Walla Roastery, a micro-roastery and cafe at 290 A Street, “down the road” from the airport terminal building, has experienced a major remodel. Dedicated to the presentation of the finest specialty grade coffees and good treats to eat, Thomas Reese and his sister, Mary (Reese) Senter, have expanded and covered the popular patio and enlarged the “back” roasting room. Both improvements are welcomed by in-house guests and off-site clients who display and sell Roastery branded and custom-blend coffees.
More info: wallawallaroastery.com

     E. Sean Boyd stands at the corner of what will soon be a new production center for his Rotie Cellars and Proletariat Wine Company labels. Construction of the 10,000 square foot building got underway in late October and completion should come in early 2015. Boyd says the new facility will fulfill his dream of consolidating his production of bottle wines (Rotie) and kegs (Proletariat) in a new environment that will contribute to efficiencies and cost savings that will result in a “much higher quality glass of wine at a lower price.” Boyd’s keg wines are popular with restaurants and others who serve wine by the glass. He explains that tapping wine from the keg means no waste, less spoilage and lower cost.
More info: rotiecellars.com and proletariatwines.com

     F. It’s Chillville Walla Walla, a seasonal spot at Walla Walla Regional Airport that offers visitor lodging in a cluster of amenity-rich Airstream campers. Owned and operated by Zibby Wilder and Pamela Ottaviano Rhodes, the “glamping experience” promises a truly original vacation experience -- including bikes, a BBQ and game courts -- in the backyard of the Port of Walla Walla’s wine incubators. More info: chillvillewallawalla.com

     G. Welcome to the Port’s wine incubators Jeremy Petty, Shanon
McFall, Jody Middleton...J&J Vintners. It all began with grape juice at Cott’s plant in Walla Walla, graduating from the WWCC enology & viticulture program and finally producing wine in shared facilities in 2010. Now, the long time friends...with the help of McFall, a self-professed silent partner and manager,...J&J Vintner's will become the next tenant in the Port’s highly successful wine incubator complex. The “boys” plan to be there for the next six years. More info: jandjvintners.com