The Port commission will meet in a special meeting on Tuesday starting at 9AM, and one of the budget item highlights is discussions over the priorities of the EDC for 2017.
According to the staff memo in the agenda packet posted on their webpage:
Port of Port Angeles Strategic Plan Priorities and Support by the EDC
The Port’s Strategic Plan involves several key initiatives which could be supported by
the EDC’s efforts in business recruitment, expansion, and retention. Key initiatives of
the Port are listed below along with ideas for EDC support and collaboration.
• Port: Expand maritime commerce and develop Marine Trades Industrial Park
o EDC to advocate for support from Department of Commerce.
o EDC to identify common suppliers and trades where it could be advantageous
to relocate or expand an office in Clallam County.
• Port: Promote innovative value-added wood products manufacturing (e.g., cross
laminated timber)
o EDC to coordinate with the Department of Commerce’s wood product sector
lead.
o EDC to support timber advocacy efforts to achieve a reliable and sustainable
harvest.
o EDC to participate in the state-wide leadership committee led by Forterra.
• Port: Establish commercial air service
o EDC assistance with welcoming committee or other outreach efforts in the
community will involve Port staff.
o EDC to help engage existing businesses to use air service.
o EDC to explore subsidies, incentives, revenue guarantees, ticket banks, or
anything else that private industry would support. Many of these ideas are
prohibited for the Port to engage in per the Federal Aviation Administration.
o EDC to proactively advocate for support of local TSA screening with
Congressional representatives.
• Port: Market Port facilities and Clallam County as the place to do business
o EDC in cooperation with the Port will plan for and work towards developing an
availability property list, a needs assessment and analysis report for industrial
property in Clallam County. The intent is to complete this project by
December 2017. (Note: The EDC has started implementing Zoom Prospector
software.)
o EDC assistance in identifying infrastructure needs to support business
recruitment and expansion.
o EDC will collaboratively involve the Port where Port property and assets are
necessary for business recruitment or expansion. The Port will be the lead
agency regarding Port assets that are identified, as required to fulfill potential
tenants’ requirements.
o EDC assistance with welcoming committee or other outreach efforts in the
community will involve Port staff.
• Port: Advance the development of a diversified and skilled workforce
o The EDC, along with the Port, will work in cooperation with Peninsula College
to identify workforce training needs and constraints in the following areas:
Marine trades boat building and repair
Composites and advanced manufacturing
Advanced wood products manufacturing
o EDC to act as pass-thru agency or fiscal agent for federal and state grant
funding opportunities, such as the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund or
other Commerce and agency funding. If the EDC is not able to act as the
pass-thru agency, then inform the Port to assist with finding another
alternative.
o EDC, along with other partners, to involve the high schools in workforce
training opportunities.
o EDC to advocate that the Olympic Workforce Development Council (OWDC)
supports Clallam County’s workforce training needs. EDC Executive Director
to attend quarterly OWDC meetings.
o EDC to work with a variety of partners in workforce training: Peninsula
College, Olympic Workforce Development Council (OWDC), SBDC, local
trade associations, chambers, NOPRC&D, the NOP Skills Center, Centers of
Excellence – maritime and Aerospace, etc.
See full agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/10252016-193
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