Glass Recycling, Tourism Grant, and More!

May 7, 2024

Business and Community Updates

Broadband Updates

We are happy to report over a 60% adoption rate for the Dayton project. For the Touchet Valley project, final construction and ground restoration will be completed by the end of May. The Port is notifying residents in this project area that they are now able to contact ISP's to connect to service!

Craft Malt & Grain Cluster

The Port has applied to the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) for a $5 million grant/loan package for this project. The private sector partner, Mainstem Malt, is investing an amount equal to or greater than $5 million for the project.

On May 16th the Port and Mainstem Malt will present to the CERB board!

We continue our outreach to regional growers and value-added food business entrepreneurs! As we receive responses, we are beginning to meet with those partners to continue to craft the vision of this initiative. So far, we have met with Palouse Heritage and The Grain Shed out of Spokane, WA.

We also have a new tenant at BMS that is a participant in the grain cluster- a sourdough bakery focused on using local WA state ingredients.

We would appreciate it if you could share the survey with others, particularly with any local growers who have an interest in artisan-scale higher-value crops! To learn about the artisan grain cluster go to the Blue Mountain Station website or click the link here!

Clean Energy in Rural WA State

A community meeting will be held on Tuesday May 14th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Pavilion to discuss clean energy in rural WA State. The WA State Department of Commerce wants to hear community and stakeholder input on potential opportunities and impacts for rural communities in Washington from renewable energy development. Click here to learn more!

State of WA Tourism Grant

The Port of Columbia is a successful recipient of the Rural Tourism Marketing and Production Grant from State of Washington Tourism! This grant will assist the Port in creating promotional assets to support tourism marketing in our area! These assets will help the Columbia County region have the photo and video content needed to promote our community as a destination to travelers to generate overnight stays and stimulate visitor spending.

For a full list of awardees, click here.

National Economic Development Week

🎉The Port of Columbia is thrilled to celebrate the 2024 Economic Development Week, an annual celebration led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) aimed at recognizing and enhancing the efforts that create vibrant communities with strong economies. This year's Economic Development week is from May 6 - 10th.

The Port of Columbia serves as the lead Economic Development Agency for Columbia County and offers assistance to all businesses in the county. We also coordinate with our neighboring counties on regional initiatives.

Our hard work in economic development would not be possible without the help of everyone in the community and our partners-

City of Dayton
Columbia County
Dayton Chamber of Commerce
Dayton SD
Columbia County Health System
Dayton Development Task Force

Thank you for supporting the Port's work in economic development!

Glass Recycling

Glass recycling is coming to Dayton!

Residents and businesses can now save their glass containers, rinse them and remove everything except labels, and bring them to a local collection event to be recycled!

Starting Saturday, May 11, at Blue Mountain Station in Dayton, WA, glass will be accepted from 11 AM until 2 PM and is FREE for all local participants!⁠ Glass drop events will continue on the second Saturday of each month through October!

Funding for the initiative has been generously provided by local community foundation grants from Baker Boyer Bank and the Blue Mountain Community Foundation.⁠⁠

Computer Skills Classes

Starting this week computer skills training will be offered at the library!

You can learn things like computer, internet, and smartphone basics, email, internet safety, telehealth, and more!

These classes will be held every Wednesday at the library from 1 to 3 pm.

Other Events of Interest

This weekend enjoy a interactive murder mystery, Murder's in the Heir, at the Liberty Theater. Get your tickets here!

On May 15th from 6 to 8 pm Dayton's Coalition for Youth and Families is hosting Hidden in Plain Sight at the Liberty Theater. Participants will have the chance to walk through a teen bedroom to try to identify over 70 items that indicate risky behaviors. Must be 18 or older to attend. Free pizza will be provided.

Mark your calendars for Dayton Days rodeo May 24 & 25.

You will not want to miss this action-packed rodeo weekend!

On Saturday May 25th the parade will be held downtown! Head down to the fairgrounds after the parade at 10 am and enjoy the exciting rodeo, food & craft vendors as well as a beer garden. Get your tickets here!

The Boldman House will have an afternoon full of fun and free activities on Saturday May 25th from 11am to 2pm. You will get the chance to experience Dayton life in the twentieth century by tasting homemade butter, shelling corn or peeling an apple using vintage techniques, washing laundry with a washboard and a wringer, and more! Don't miss out on this great event. For more information click here.

Unemployment Rate sees a Decrease

There has been a seasonal decrease in the unemployment rate from February to March, with a decrease of almost 2% from February 2024. As of March 2024, the unemployment rate was 5.5%.