Port champions rural economic development

Port of Pend Oreille leadership recently met with Washington state legislators in Olympia to advocate for transformative economic development initiatives in Pend Oreille County. The Port's executive director and economic development director presented plans for an innovative rail shop project that has a proven history and promises to position the region as a leader in clean energy while creating substantial local employment opportunities.

"Rural communities need a strong voice in Olympia to ensure their unique opportunities and challenges are understood," said Kelly Driver, executive director. "Our meetings with legislators highlighted how projects like our planned 40,000-square-foot facility in Usk, Wash., can serve as a model for rural economic development while supporting state environmental goals."

During the Washington Public Ports Association legislative day, Port leadership attended presentations by the newly appointed Department of Commerce director and participated in crucial policy discussions. An evening reception provided valuable networking opportunities with other ports, legislators, and private firms, fostering relationships that strengthen resource sharing across the state.

"Effective rural economic advocacy requires consistent presence and engagement in Olympia," said Jessica Garza, economic development director. "Our commitment to representing opportunities and needs in Pend Oreille County ensures our community's interests are actively championed in state-level discussions, not overlooked in policy decisions and forgotten in fiscal commitments."

As one of Washington's few non-taxing port districts, the Port of Pend Oreille operates the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad entirely on self-sustained revenue while providing essential economic development services to county residents. The port's advocacy efforts centered on a $13.4 million investment project for POVARR that showcases remarkable potential for rural innovation. 

POVARR has a proven history of high demand and produces quality locomotive conversions that are sought after across the United States. The newly planned state-of-the-art facility in Usk, Wash., will feature four dedicated bays for next-generation locomotive conversions, advanced dry-blast technology, and provisions for the nation's first green hydrogen fueling station for rail. With a strong benefit-cost ratio of 3.10, the project promises substantial returns while advancing both environmental and rural economic goals. The facility will double current conversion capacity, potentially generating

$84.83M in revenue over 25 years through locomotive conversion operations.

The POVARR shop project showcases how rural ports can lead in both economic development and environmental stewardship, with plans to help eliminate emissions equivalent to removing 38,000 passenger cars from the road by 2050 through locomotive conversion work.