Potential business could bring family-wage jobs

DAYTON–Port of Columbia Commissioners heard discussion on a possible new business opening here and glass-recycling protocol at the meeting held on February 14.

The Port received an update that a new business, Mainstream Malt and Grain Cluster, that works with malt is considering Dayton as a possible location for the business. Mainstream Malt and Grain Cluster is presently working with Port Executive Director Jennie Dickinson.

"The strategy that would work best for them is Option 2, where we would build the building and they would lease it." said Dickinson. She explained that they already have the equipment or are in the process of purchasing it. Dickinson is working with an agency on a Committed Private Construction Application, which is applicable when you have a business that will locate in the building previous to the application.

Dickinson is confident they could qualify for up to a $5 million loan that would work as a $1.25 million grant, $3.75 million loan at 2% interest and a three-year deferral. Dickinson is also confident the business can handle the terms including the rent rate and putting money into the project, building and equipment.

She also believes the risk to the Port, if the company defaults, would be low, as the Port would still own the building and could cover the loan while they rented it to another company.

"The prospect of the Craft Malt and Grain Cluster facility at Blue Mountain Station is truly exciting," Port Commissioner Bryan said via email. "It has the potential to add 45-plus, family-wage jobs to our workforce and a significant increase to local tax dollars. This would be a great boost to our local economy. I look forward to how this will pan out and hope we can bring it to fruition."

The other commissioners did not respond to a request for comment on this topic.

Dickinson also brought to the commissioners the idea of glass recycling. A nonprofit from Walla Walla would like to come to Dayton once a month at Blue Mountain Station to pick up glass from citizens at a cost of 25 cents per pound, or people can become a member of the non-profit. The fee helps relieve transportation costs of the glass. Dickinson suggested that maybe the Port could pay a lump sum fee to provide this service for the community. "I asked them what would it cost for us to just pay for it, and they said it would be about $450 per month," she stated. Dickinson would like to use the community support funds from the annual budget.

Commissioner Spring stated it could lower garbage bills and Bryan questioned if the funds would be better utilized elsewhere in the community. Commissioner Johnny Watts stated it should be an option to the community, but that individuals should pay their own way on it. Bryan agreed with that idea.

"I believe that recycling opportunities would benefit the community by reducing waste and reducing recyclable materials going to our landfills," Bryan stated.

"However, since there is a cost associated with this, I do not believe the Port should be the one to cover these expenses with the use of taxpayer dollars and resources," he said. "The cost associated with this should be covered by the recycling company or the consumers utilizing the service. To use the Community Support funds of the Port for this would take away from other priorities and a very limited budget line item."

Dickinson said she did not think glass was recycled, presently, and would just end up in the landfill.

The other commissioners did not respond to requests for comments after the meeting.