New from the Port of Columbia

DAYTON—Port of Columbia Executive Director Jennie Dickinson said the county’s unemployment rate held relatively steady, at 10.5 percent in May, compared to 10.4 percent in April. June rates are not yet available.

The state unemployment rate dropped from 15.8 percent to 14.8 percent over the same period of time, she said.

Additional emergency assistance is on the horizon to help local businesses and nonprofits. The Port will be the conduit for funds from three different sources. Dickinson said she will send out a special eNewsletter as soon as the process is open.

The Port is accepting applications for Port commissioner in District 1 to fill the remainder of Dan Aschenbrenner’s six-year term which began on Jan. 1, 2020. He has since moved out of the District.

Keegan Milsten has been hired by the Port as a summer intern. Milsten is a computer science major, entering his second year at WSU this fall and he is available to help businesses with websites, e-commerce, or other technology needs. Milsten can be reached online at grants@portofcolumbia.org, or by phone at (509) 382-2577.