About the Port of Ridgefield
When most of us hear the word port, we naturally think of large cargo ships, busy docks and bustling air terminals. While it is true that many ports in the state of Washington do operate marine cargo facilities and airports, many others, such as the Port of Ridgefield, exist primarily to bring quality jobs, economic diversity and prosperity to the citizens of their region. Washington ports are regulated and audited by the State of Washington, and while many port districts bear the name of the city or county in which they reside, they are separate entities operating under their own charters, bylaws and elected board of commissioners.
Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the Port of Ridgefield resides in the northern section of Clark County in southwest Washington State; just a stones throw from Portland, Oregon to the south and 2.5 hours from Seattle, 160 miles to the north (click here for a map). The Port district is divided by the rapidly expanding Interstate-5 corridor; know as the Discovery Corridor, which contains five freeway interchanges, accessing largely undeveloped properties. The district extends from the northern edge of Vancouver USA to the northern reaches of the county. For more than 60 years, the Port has been a vital link between the economic vitality of the community and is dedicated to maintaining a superior quality of life for the families that call the greater North Clark County area home.
Quick Facts
- Port of Ridgefield was formed in 1940 by a vote of the people
- Port District population of approximately 14,000 people, 4500+ households
- Port District covers approximately 57 square miles or 36,480 acres
- District assessed property value of approximately $1.2 billion
- 2008 Port property tax levy, $.16 per $1,000 of assessed property value ($32 on property assessed at $200,000)
- 11 businesses and nearly 800 jobs located at I-5 industrial park originally developed by the Port in the 1990s.
- Governed by 3 publicly elected Port Commissioners who are elected to 6-year terms.