Last spring, the Port issued a Request for Developer Interest for Lot #900, commonly referred to as the Barman property, for a public-private partnership that includes leasing land long-term from the Port and developing the commercially-zoned property to best suit the community. Six proposals were received that reflected mixed and single-use concepts involving hotels, residential, retail, offices and/or restaurants. The Port is moving forward now toward a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the finalist developer.

Lot #1 development also gained traction recently. The Port of Hood River received a $500,000 grant award for the E. Anchor Way extension project from the Immediate Opportunity Fund administered by ODOT and Business Oregon to support transportation projects directly tied to economic growth and business expansion.

Additionally, the Port obtained a $500,000 grant from the State of Oregon Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund, a result of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This project funding was allocated through the 2021 Oregon Legislature with advocacy by Senator Chuck Thomsen for E. Anchor Way and/or a commercial hangar at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield. Staff has been pursuing opportunities for grant funding for both projects.