Port's risk is good gamble for community
The Port brought together a public-private partnership to raise the necessary cash to make the deal work.
Usually government agencies don't take risks _ at least when it comes to taxpayer dollars. Governments aren't supposed to make high-risk investments because, frankly, the public wouldn't tolerate losing its money.
But the Port of Walla Walla is a different type of government agency. Risk is a central part of its mission. The Port of Walla Walla's job is economic development _ bringing in new industries and jobs into the area.
Generally the greater the risk, the greater the reward.
The Port took a risk recently when it decided to buy the AgriFrozen plant on Dell Avenue for $1.225 million in the hope it could lure a major employer to town. The total investment is expected to be about $1.6 million after remodeling the plant.
Last week, news came that the Port's investment might eventually pay off. Cliffstar Corporation, the nation's largest independent private label juice processor, announced it was moving into the old AgriFrozen plant.
The fall opening is expected to create 20 full-time jobs and that number is expected to jump to about 100 over the next two years.
Beyond that, the plant will be back on the tax rolls. This is all great news for the area.
Port commissioners and staff should be applauded for their aggressive approach.
After all, it's risky _ particularly politically _ for them to take chances. When investments go sour, as they have in the past when, for example, Strauser Manufacturing pulled out of its deal with the Port, the public can be very critical.
It would be easier for commissioners to keep a low profile. In the end, that could mean nothing gets done. Still, they likely wouldn't be criticized too harshly either.
It's far more difficult to take the risks necessary to make deals that can pay big dividends for the community. But here, that's exactly what was done.
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