FAQ’s

  1. What is a port, how many are there in WA State and what does the Port of Whitman County actually do?
  2. Can you have a port without water?
  3. How does the port use my taxes?
  4. When are the Port Commission meetings, may I attend and how may I be included on the agenda?
  5. What does the Port Commission do and how can I run for Port Commission?
  6. Why does the Port run Boyer Park and Marina and how can I contact Boyer for a camping reservation or boat moorage?
  7. Can I drive over Lower Granite Dam?
  8. Does the Port ship containers and if not, who do I contact locally for container shipping?
  9. I have heard the Port builds fiber optic systems. Can you hook up my house?
  10. How does my company get on the Port’s Small Works Roster List or the Port’s Professional Services Roster?
  11. I am interested in leasing raw land at a port site? Who do I contact?
  12. I am interested in renting a hangar or tie-down space at the Port of Whitman Business Air Center in Colfax. What is available and who do I contact?
  13. Can the Port finance a building for my company or give me money to start a business?
  14. The Port has an industrial park in Pullman, Colfax as well as several port sites on the river. Why isn’t the port building an industrial park in my town?
  15. SEWEDA is the County ADO (Authorized Development Organization). What kind of services does the ADO program offer in Whitman County?
  16. Where do I find out about small business incentives and training opportunities?
  17. Are there any jobs available at the Port of Whitman?

Commission FAQ’s

What is a port, how many are there in WA State and what does the Port of Whitman County actually do?

Ports are municipal entities that are formed by the voting constituency of a district to diversify and strengthen the economy of that district. There are 78 ports currently active across Washington State. The Port of Whitman is a county-wide port and bases its activities on a comprehensive plan updated every five years.

The Port develops industrial real estate, operates a general aviation airport, operates Boyer Park and Marina, and manages three water ports on the Snake River and two inland industrial parks. The port also develops telecommunications infrastructure. For more about Washington Ports, visit the Washington Public Ports association at www.washingtonports.org.

Can you have a port without water?
Yes! For instance, many airports are port districts. The primary purpose of a port district in Washington State is economic development - and you don't need a navigable waterway to do that. The Legislature has given ports broad authority to promote economic development - they can build and operate airports, marine terminals, marinas, railroads, and industrial parks, and in some cases, promote tourism.
How does the port use my taxes?
Ports use tax revenues to invest in infrastructure designed to grow the economy - ports serve as economic engines for their communities. Examples of port investments include marine terminals, airport facilities, improved rail infrastructure, industrial parks, and marinas. Ports then lease facilities or charge a fee for their use, using the new facilities to generate jobs and economic development.
Will the Port ever stop collecting its tax levy?
The Port tax levy is re-invested into new port infrastructure, maintenance of existing port infrastructure, continuing support of the Pullman-Moscow Airport and the operation of the free, day use areas of Boyer Park and Marina. While the Port strives to become self-supporting, this goal does not take precedence over the Port’s other goals until such time as economic development efforts are no longer deemed necessary in Whitman County.
When are the Port Commission meetings, may I attend and how may I be included on the agenda?
The Port Commissions meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month at 10:00 a.m. in the port administrative office at 302 N. Mill Street in Colfax, WA, unless otherwise advertised. The agenda and minutes, both current and archived, are available on line. Meetings are open to the general public. To be included on the Commission meeting agenda, please contact port staff in writing or via e-mail at least one week prior to the next regular meeting with your name, contact information, topic of discussion and goals sought from the commission.
What does the Port Commission do and how can I run for Port Commission?
The Port Commission sets policy for the port and provides guidance for long term port planning. There are three port commissioners, one from each county district, and they serve six-year terms. Our current port commissioners are Dan Boone and John Love. The District 3 Commission appointment is pending. Unlike the Whitman County Commissioners who are full-time and salaried, the port commission serves on a part-time basis and receives a meeting per diem limited by law, travel expenses and medical insurance. Should you wish to learn more about possibly running for the port commission, contact the port staff at 1-800-535-7678.
Why does the Port run Boyer Park and Marina and how can I contact Boyer for a camping reservation or boat moorage?
The Port operates Boyer Park and Marina under a long-term lease from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The port operates Boyer Park and Marina to provide recreational opportunities to the citizens of Whitman County, attract visitors to Whitman County, and to offset the lack of public access to the water at its Ports of Wilma, Almota and Central Ferry. Visit Boyer Park on-line or call (509) 397-3208 for information and reservations.
Can I drive over Lower Granite Dam?
Yes, but access is limited. Contact the US Army Corps at (509)843-1498 for information and procedure.
Does the Port ship containers and if not, who do I contact locally for container shipping?
The Port has no container shipping operation at any of our Snake River Ports at this time. For container shipping, please call the Port of Lewiston at (208) 743-3209. For barge line information, call Tidewater Barge Lines at (360) 693-1491.
I have heard the Port builds fiber optic systems. Can you hook up my house?
The Port has the authority to build fiber optic networks on a wholesale basis only. The Port cannot provide telecommunication services at all, let alone directly to your home. The Port builds the fiber network and leases dark fiber to private sector companies who supply end-user services or to municipalities or other government entities for their own internal use. Fiber to the home is offered in some communities but not by the port. To learn more about port fiber access our telecommunications page.
How does my company get on the Port’s Small Works Roster List or the Port’s Professional Services Roster?
The Port advertises for the Professional Services and Small Works Roster once a year on January 1. The Small Roster Application is available in PDF form on our RFP page. The Port accepts applications throughout the year and they may be mailed to the port at 302 N. Mill Street, Colfax, WA, 99111 or faxed to (509) 397-4758. Standard mail is the preferred method for Professional Services Roster submissions. Roster submissions are retained for three years after which they must be re-submitted.
I am interested in leasing raw land at a port site? Who do I contact?
To get more information about the land or buildings the port has available to lease, please contact Debbie Snell, Properties and Development Manager, via e-mail or at 1-800-535-7678. Available land is also listed on the port web site under Inland and Water Industrial sites.
I am interested in renting a hangar or tie-down space at the Port of Whitman Business Air Center in Colfax. What is available and who do I contact?
For information on POWBAC, please contact Debbie Snell, Properties and Development Manager, via e-mail or at 1-800-535-7678. There are several tie-down spaces, t-hangar spaces and private land available for lease for the construction of private hangars. For more information on the airport, visit our POWBAC page.
Can the Port finance a building for my company or give me money to start a business?
The port cannot finance a building or loan or grant money to help an individual start a business. The port can build a building for a qualified client and then lease it and the land it sits on to that client. For more information on how the port might be able to assist your business, contact port staff at 1-800-535-7678.
The Port has an industrial park in Pullman, Colfax as well as several port sites on the river. Why isn’t the port building an industrial park in my town?
The Port must be very selective in its development plans for any industrial park based on demand from businesses, support from the local community, and the capital expenditures required for infrastructure and buildings. The port must consider the best use of their limited funds to yield the optimum economic outcome and has thus far settled on Pullman and Colfax as the best locations within the borders of Whitman County. Please contact the port if you feel an industrial park in your town would be a viable investment.
SEWEDA is the County ADO (Authorized Development Organization). What kind of services does the ADO program offer in Whitman County?
The ADO (Authorized Development Organization) program offers many economic development services to the existing and potential businesses of Whitman County. For more information on the ADO program, please visit the ADO page.
Where do I find out about small business incentives and training opportunities?
Contact our staff at 1-800-535-7678 or visit our ADO page and follow the business incentives or training links.
Are there any jobs available at the Port of Whitman?
There are currently no jobs available at the Port of Whitman County. Future employment opportunities will be posted as they become available.