Mission and Charter
The Port of Umatilla intelligently serves the commercial, industrial, agricultural, maritime, surface, transportation, distribution, and recreational sectors of the Eastern Oregon regional economy.
The Port is one of 23 Oregon public ports. Established in 1940 under ORS 777, the Port has a legislative mandate to diversify the regional economy and expand Oregon trade. As such, the Port works in conjunction with private economic development corporations and partnerships to facilitate economic growth and diversity that is compatible with the long term goals and planning of each respective community.
The Port District encompasses 12 municipalities within a 3200 square mile jurisdiction. Two Interstate highways, a major railroad switch yard and a new, modern, progressive, full service maritime facility adjacent to the Columbia River equipped to handle containers, grain, petroleum, and project cargo serve the Intermodal transportation needs of all types of shippers.
The Port of Umatilla also operates a public marina, boat launch and recreational vehicle park.
History
The Port of Umatilla, one of Oregon’s 23 port districts, was established in 1940 to promote water-related commerce throughout Umatilla County. Communities in the Port District include Adams, Athena, Echo, Helix, Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Stanfield, Ukiah, Umatilla and Weston.
The Port acquired most of its industrial land inventory in the 1950s and 1960s after lands near Umatilla were declared surplus to the McNary Dam project by the federal government. A barge dock on the Columbia River was established in 1960, and a recreational boat marina was built in 1968. The Port has delivered service to importers and exporters since that time through reliable, consistent barge operations. The Port has since expanded its activities to include economic development throughout the district.
The Port currently owns four parcels of industrial land, which are located in the communities of Hermiston, Umatilla, and Pendleton. The Port sells or leases land to expanding businesses that create jobs and increase capital investment in Umatilla County.
In the early 1990s, the Port partnered with the City of Hermiston to create the Regional Water System. The System includes a pumping station on the Columbia River, pipelines and a treatment plant. The System serves the City, food processing industries and power plants. It is supplied by the Port’s Columbia River water right. Approximately 16% of the water right is being used, leaving the remaining valuable water resources available for future development.
The Port District is governed by a five member Board of Commissioners, elected at large from throughout Umatilla County.
Attributes
The Port of Umatilla features three terminals for handling containerized and bulk cargo: a full service container on barge operation, grain loading facility, and petroleum distribution complex. The facilities have multi-modal access to world markets by river, rail and highway.
The container-on-barge dock is the premier container dock on the Columbia Snake River system beyond Portland, Oregon. The dock has 100 plugs for refrigerated containers, which is more than any barge dock on the system, as well as the newest, fastest, and largest crane among the shallow draft ports on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
The grain terminal is owned and operated by Pendleton Grain Growers.
The petroleum distribution complex is fully served by river, rail and highway. Diesel fuel for UP locomotives at the Hinkle switchyard is transported via pipeline from this location. Hinkle is the largest railroad switchyard in the Pacific Northwest.
Available Industrial Sites and Buildings
McNary Industrial Park
The McNary Industrial Park in Umatilla is the Port’s largest industrial park. About 140 acres are available for development. The City of Umatilla provides water and sewer service. Natural gas service is available, and part of the Park can be accessed by rail. It is adjacent to Highway 730 and one mile from Interstate 82. The Port’s barge dock is adjacent to the Park. McNary is the Port’s best side for a large industrial tenant.
Current tenants include Hagerman Trucking, Boise Cascade, Pendleton Grain Growers, Tidewater, and the Two Rivers Correctional Institution.
Pendleton Industrial Park
The Pendleton Industrial Park is located near Interstate 84 in Pendleton. Nine acres are available for development and services are provided by the City of Pendleton. A rail spur serves part of the Park, and the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport is two miles away. The site has good visibility from the freeway.
Current tenants include Continental Mills, Lippert Components and Keystone R/V’s.
Westland Industrial Park
The Westland Industrial Park is located at the intersection of Interstate 82 and 84, about four miles southwest of Hermiston, with four acres available for development. Private wells and septic systems provide water and sewer services. Westland is an excellent location for trucking and warehousing operations.
Current tenants include United Parcel Service, Hammell Transport Service, and Big Basin Packing.
Hermiston Industrial Park
The Hermiston Industrial Park is immediately south of Hermiston, along Highway 395. Eight acres are available for development, with 40 more to be added in the future. The City of Hermiston provides services. This site is best suited for small light industrial or commercial business.
Current tenants include Hermiston Foods, and several small commercial businesses. The 1,000,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart Distribution Center is adjacent to the Park.
|
