Superior Energy and Transportation Infrastructure Benefit Industry
business, energy, transportation,
With numerous transportation advantages and some of the lowest energy rates in the nation, Cowlitz County economic development officials have powerful tools in attracting new industry and ensuring ease of commerce for those in place.
“Industrial clients want to go where they are appreciated and can be successful,” says Ted Sprague, president of the Cowlitz County Economic Development Council. “The environment created here is absolutely set up that way. Transportation is very important, and we’re able to say, ‘Freeway access? We’ve got it. Rail access? We’ve got it. River access? We’ve got it.’ ”
Interstate 5 is the main surface transportation artery, running conveniently north to south through the county.
“The closer you are to an interstate, the easier it is to locate companies because it’s so important to shipping products out and bringing the input you need to the plant,” Sprague says.
Another logistical advantage is the proximity to the Columbia River, providing access to the Pacific Ocean. The Ports of Longview, Kalama and Woodland recently joined with the Ports of Vancouver and Portland to deepen the river’s navigation channel from 40 to 43 feet. Thanks to this improvement, the Port of Longview attracted a new grain elevator.
“It’s a $150 million capital investment and the first new grain elevator in the Western U.S. in 28 years,” Sprague says.
It also represents two years of construction with several hundred workers, as well as 50 ongoing jobs.
In terms of rail service, Cowlitz County’s ports are dually served by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads.
Cowlitz County Public Utilities District plays an important role in business recruitment by providing commercial and industrial service that is inexpensive, reliable and high quality, Sprague says.
“All of these things are conducive to business,” Sprague continues. “Our PUD does a great job with residential clients, but really works hand-in-hand with industrial clients.”
Most of the industrial clients are served by a double loop electrical feed: one substation backed up by another. PUD also offers business rates that are 30 percent below the national average, and its large industrial rates are as low as half the national rate. In fact, many high-energy-consumption clients chose to locate in the area because of its competitive energy costs.
In order to assist new business and industry, Cowlitz PUD developed rate incentives and assistance in constructing substations for these clients who are larger consumers of energy.
“It allows us to do even better than our already competitive rates,” says Brian Skeahan, general manager. “It’s intended to help businesses get off the launching pad.”
Energy conservation and cleaner sources of power are also important to the district. Cowlitz PUD is installing smart meters, with the goal of every customer having an automated meter by 2011. For businesses, having the real-time data from the meters will allow them to better conserve energy and control costs.
The district also has developed the 205-megawatt Wind Creek Wind Project, completed in 2007. The project consists of 89 energy-generating wind turbines in the Columbia River Gorge. The second phase, the Harvest Wind Project, will add 43 more turbines by the end of 2009, generating another 100 megawatts of power. The Wind Creek turbines and blades were shipped through the Port of Longview, increasing revenue and helping to diversify its business base, Skeahan says.
Story by Greta Sharp
