Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

DAYTON-The Port of Columbia Commissioners and Port of Columbia Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson set the date for the public Touchet Valley Trail Design meeting on Monday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is planned to be held by Zoom. The Commissioners have only recently received the design from Anderson Perry, but want to time to review it and provide feedback to Anderson Perry before a public meeting.

Dickinson has made progress in pursuing broadband for use in the Port office. She has obtained quotes from Jamestown Internet that works with NoaNet to provide internet service to government agencies. The Port is seeking 100MB internet and voice-over IP phone service for the office phones. The cost would be less than $200 per month. Currently they are paying $325. The phones would have to be initially purchased for the office. After conducting a speed test, it is found to be more than satisfactory at 10MB for a download and upload.

Presently, Dickinson is working on a request for proposal for temporary wireless with NoaNet once the Port chooses an internet provider and learns some specifics about cost and the how far the service will reach. The intent would be to provide the service to the Industrial Park.

An application was submitted to Sherwood Trust by Dickinson for matching funds for construction of the larger scope broadband project for the City. If accepted, any funds received from the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB), the Public Works Board or the like for the project would be matched. The Port is meeting monthly with NoaNet and the City of Dayton to work towards obtaining federal funding.

The Port Commissioners discussed maintaining their position of support for retaining the Lower Snake River Dams since they passed a resolution in 2019. Commissioner Shawn Millgian recused himself because of his work with the Corps of Engineers, but agreed the idea proposed by Earle Marvin for a copy of the resolution and cover letter be sent to Representative Cathy McMorris-Rodgers.

In other Port news, Dickinson informed the Commissioners that they had received $12,000 in back taxes. This is a portion of the negative $28,000 ending balance reported for 2020.

According to Dickinson two tenants are having difficulty paying rent and because of the laws protecting tenants during COVID-19, they cannot be evicted even if the lease is up, as is the case for one of the tenants. The Port is seeking advice from their attorney.

Walter Family Farms has signed on to fill the gardener vacancy at Blue Mountain Station making the facility full with no current vacancies. The commercial kitchen remains busy for various uses.

Rock Hill Industrial Park has seen some changes with Dayton Electric moving into the lot vacated by Smalls Family Farm, and Red Band Cellars expanding into the space left by Dayton Electric.

Dickinson is trying to coordinate a soft re-opening for the tasting rooms of Red Band Cellars and Bard & Bee Meadery. Cedar Rain Spirits at Blue Mountain Station featuring vodka and vodka liqueurs is already open for tasting. She said she is trying to coordinate hours for these tasting rooms with Dumas Station to draw people for tasting.