HOOD RIVER — Port commissioners and staff will convene their annual strategic planning work session on April 21, it was announced at the port’s March 17 board meeting. Anticipated topics include the capital projects fund and capital repairs, waterfront improvements, commercial dock planning and long-term marina plans.
Commissioners will also review potential construction contracting methods to deliver a new administrative office for the port; the current one will be displaced by bridge construction.
Advocacy trip
The port will participate in an advocacy visit to Washington, D.C., late in May to raise congressional and federal agency awareness of upcoming port projects ranging from an airport terminal building to waterfront and transportation improvements in the port’s waterfront area.
The trip is organized through a state agency, BusinessOregon, under contract to a private consulting firm, Accelerate Strategies. BusinessOregon makes the support available to all of Oregon’s 23 port districts.
“It’s really that relationship between the Port of Hood River and the State of Oregon that we get to utilize” without the cost of hiring a separate D.C. consulting firm, said Kevin Greenwood, the port’s executive director.
Commissioners supported the trip and will participate. “I’ve researched this and found that small governments get a five-times return on investment for D.C. lobbying,” said Commissioner Tor Bieker. “It’s that call from the senator’s office that makes a big difference.”
“Meetings are back-to-back,” noted Commissioner Kathryn Thomas. “You’re working while you’re there. It’s amazing the amount of people you’re talking to about your projects. I’m 100 percent for sending people to D.C.”
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