Port may help bring high-paying, year-round jobs here

Do members of the Orcas Island community favor an expanded effort to create more high-paying, year-round jobs? Are there people on the island who would create these kinds of businesses if the right conditions existed? And if the answer is “yes” to the above questions, which agency is best qualified to spearheaded such a drive?

The Port of Orcas wants to know the answer to all three of those questions.

On Sunday, March 6, local commissioners met with three people who have the expertise to provide them with answers. They are Greg Hertel, port commissioner from Friday Harbor; Richard Civille, director of the San Juan Economic Development Corporation; and Steve Garrison, an Orcas islander whose independent research has convinced him that there is a desperate need for businesses here that can provide high-paying, year-round jobs, and that the port is the logical choice to help make it happen.

Port Commissioner Jack Becker agrees. He says, “Washington State statutes say that port districts are best able to facilitate economic development.” And while the statutes stress that development should be in areas of transportation, almost everything is allowed. One port in Washington State operates a golf course. Another owns a freighter. Still others manage parks.

But before the Port of Orcas heads in this direction, it wants to hear from the community. Toward this end, it will apply for a grant to study the feasibility of such an effort. Port commissioners will also present their ideas to local organizations, then hear how members feel about them.

The port’s interest isn’t solely to promote economic development. “The optimal goal is to eliminate property taxes” to the port, says Chairman Steve Hopkins. Indeed, if the port buys property, then leases it to businesses that meet the above-mentioned criteria, the revenue it receives could enable the port to operate without having to ask property owners for any more tax dollars.

The Port of Friday Harbor has become practically tax-free, and Hopkins says that the expertise provided by Hertel and port Manager Steve Simpson has been invaluable. “They have been through most of the issues facing us and have a lot of experience and ground-breaking expertise,” Hopkins explains.

Then again, most of the Port of Friday Harbor’s funding comes from its marina. To date, Orcas port commissioners have shown little or no interest in getting into the marina business.

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