Business Boosters, Lyons Ferry, and RVs at Port meeting

DAYTON—The Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting at 5 p.m. on April 9, 2025, at the port’s conference room. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present.

Dickinson presented the director’s report. She said there were two new leases, a residential property and the Red Band Cellars units at the Rock Hill Industrial Park. Red Band signed a one-year lease for the three units with a one to two-year option and ended the lease for its tasting room at Blue Mountain Station.

Commissioners discussed samples of other port executive director job descriptions. Port of Pasco was the example the commissioners liked best. Dickinson is not leaving the position; however, the job description has not been updated since she was hired.

Dickinson said someone abandoned an RV full of garbage on port property. Kyle’s Towing quoted $3,000 to remove it. Unlike abandoned cars, RVs cannot be sold by the tow company but must be taken apart and disposed of.

Economic Development Director Shane Laib posted a photo of the RV on Facebook, and it was recognized by and taken away.

After the unfortunate death of Lyons Ferry concessionaire Tim Dewald, Dickinson said the previous owners, Wally and Joanne Knouff, will take the business back to run as they relist it for sale. Susan Dewald did not wish to keep the business.

Dickinson said the port was fortunate to have the Knouffs back. They still have their business license, and the KOA is letting them take over the franchise. They are restocking the store and looking for a maintenance person and a cook.

At Blue Mountain Station, Mountain Man Sourdough will go to month-to-month rental as they prepare to move to a downtown Dayton location.

Dickinson said the design process had begun for the Mainstem Malt facility at BMS.

Discussing the broadband project, Dickinson said the state awarded an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 40 project areas, including in the Columbia County Port District. She could not say who it was, as the state has not released the information. It is unclear whether the deal will go through; she will keep the commissioners updated.

Dickinson said Puget Sound Energy will add 96 windmill turbines to its Lower Snake River wind farm over the next few years. The new turbines are larger and should help the county’s tax base.

Laib's report states that glass recycling will return to Blue Mountain Station on the second Saturday of every month between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Laib said the 13-event Business Boosters series had its first workshop, Magnetic Marketing,” the previous night. Future topics include QuickBooks 101 and social media content creation.

Laib said the BMS commercial garden has been subdivided into seven 30’ x 70’ garden spaces, with water troughs to be used as raised garden beds.

With uncertainty over the Dayton Day, Inc. board, the Columbia County Commissioners provided the dates and funds to continue the annual rodeo under Loyal and Charlotte Baker’s leadership.

To support the Memorial and Dayton Days weekend, Laib said the port is moving its flea market event to the fairgrounds on May 24 and 25. The port will run the non-food vendors at the fairgrounds’ youth and pavilion buildings. In addition, the Dayton Chamber will organize a parade.

Laib said the Li’l Shack is now the restaurant concessionaire at the Touchet Valley Golf Course. With Li’l Shack, there are now four Dayton restaurants serving breakfast, including The General Store, Locally Nourished, and Moose Creek.

Laib described implementing a vacant building campaign, and Commissioner Watts told him how impressed he was with his work since being hired.

Dickinson gave a presentation on housing. She said Columbia County home prices have decreased slightly since the peak. She showed data that Columbia County housing is not affordable but is improving, but not for first-time home buyers.

The meeting then went into a brief executive session to discuss a real estate matter and returned without taking any action.

The next meeting of the Port Commissioners is May 14, 2025.