Broadband Project topic of Port meeting

DAYTON-The Port of Columbia Commission heard updates from Executive Director Jennie Dickinson, during the meeting March 8, on payments and vouchers, assets, and projects particularly regarding Blue Mountain Station, the broadband projects and the possibility of a Port supported housing project.

Payments and vouchers were approved including those being made to Zero dB Communications $177,228 for the construction of the Dayton Community Broadband Project network. Dickinson reminded the Commissioners that they will be reimbursed from CERB. The Port paid $1200 for three months for seven-minute videos on Blue Mountain Station to be aired during the KAPP KVEW TV agriculture show plus two 15 second commercials that run repeatedly. Dickinson shared one of the videos and one of the ads during the meeting. Also approved was the annual non-specified payment to Plus Delta Afterschool Studios which is The Club for workforce development. According to Dickinson, they provided a recent report graduating employees and moving them forward into the workforce.

The Port has dispersed an informational flyer about the Broadband Project. Preliminary construction has begun with some trenching work. Presented to the Commission for approval was the electrical bid to Legacy Electric, LLC for the colocation facility portion of the project. Two RFPs (request for proposals) were posted for the Touchet Valley Project–one for cultural resources and the other for design. Dickinson recommended Anderson Perry for the former and following interviews of those who submitted for the latter she suggested Zero dB, and the Commission approved both. For the rural broadband portion of the project, the Port is working with WSU Extension's Broadband Action Plan and Digital Equity Plan to bring broadband into the rural areas of each county in the State. Port of Whitman Executive Director Kara Riebold contributed on Zoom to share that Columbia County is in the lead approaching the finish line first. "Your community is doing a good job collaborating and working on the plan," she said.

The Port applied to the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) for grant funding for a feasibility study to build a business cluster on Port property adjacent to the Blue Mountain Station with Phil Neumann the owner of Mainstem Malt. He hopes to open a draft house and to attract others in the industry to come. Dickinson has been invited by CERB to present the request and she told the Commission that the invitation is indicative of being awarded the funding. She added that a local cider production company has inquired about space there for the fall.

Dickinson proposed to the Commissioners that she approach the City of Dayton about bringing in someone to give a housing presentation that they would attend jointly in April or May during a regular Port meeting. They were in favor of the idea. The Port is promoting additional grant programs for COVID relief for businesses. Dickinson shared with the Commission that the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation applied for funding for a start-up business award that will be given to the winner of a "business pitch competition" with the grand prize of $100,000 which includes those in Columbia County.

The KOA at the Lyons Ferry Marina has completed a 254-page draft pull-thought site study which includes references to previous studies for water and septic connection. Construction estimates will be made by Anderson Perry and Dickinson thought it is likely that funding will come from the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO).