With the holidays behind us and a new year in front of us, I want to thank the community partners, elected officials, tenants, facility users, and citizens who make the Port of Hood River an integral part of the mid- Columbia region.

The Port District is served by a five-member, publicly elected Board of Commissioners. In my twenty-plus-year career in public service, I can say without hesitation that this is the most involved board I’ve worked with. Their advocacy on projects, commitment to quality, and clear direction for staff have allowed us to carry out the Commission’s vision for the district.

2026 will be a significant planning year for the Port. Along with the accomplishments of the Bridge Authority and the Commission’s efforts to make Port operations self-sustaining, we must undertake a full update to our Strategic Business Plan. The last Plan was adopted in 2021, and much has changed over the past five years.

Public ports in Oregon are required to maintain and periodically update Strategic Business Plans (SBPs). An SBP is a long-range planning document that defines a port’s mission, goals, assets, and priorities for the next decade and evaluates current facilities and services. It guides budgets, grants, and major initiatives so operations stay aligned with community needs and long-term financial sustainability.

The key themes from the 2025 Fall Planning session mirror the goals identified during the 2021 public process. Safety remains our top priority. Transparency and public trust must continue to guide our work. Port asset centers must become self-sufficient, preparations for the Hood River Bridge replacement must stay on track, and we must plan for a future in which the bridge is no longer a Port asset.

Over the last three years, the Commission has modernized financial tools, policies, and reporting systems, making it easier for the public to track Port finances. We added 131 new parking spaces and transitioned to the same parking app used by the City. At the airport, we are building ten new T-hangars and planning for a terminal while evaluating additional land-lease opportunities. The Port created a stand-alone Foundation to diversify funding for the airport and waterfront. Vacant commercial and industrial buildings are now filled, supporting small business growth, and we are preparing to relocate administrative and facilities operations in anticipation of bridge replacement.

The upcoming SBP update will review Port assets, services, and facilities to ensure that the Port’s focus after bridge replacement is aligned with community expectations. A ten-year capital and financial plan will help ensure major replacements are anticipated and long-term expenses match revenue. We’ll also identify opportunities on the waterfront and airport for mixed-use development that can generate new revenue to support parks and create inviting public spaces.

There will be opportunities for the public to participate, share ideas, and help identify ways to replace toll revenue for non-bridge operations. This Commission is committed to long-term sustainability and ensuring the community has a strong voice in the process.

The only constant is change, and I believe the community recognizes that the Port is on the cusp of a new chapter in its hundred-year history. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to strengthen the waterfront, airport, and economic development opportunities across the mid-Columbia.

Para español, haga clic aquí. Si ya está en nuestro sitio, seleccione el idioma español.