Clatsop County Manager Scott Somers attended the Port of Astoria Commission meeting Tuesday to ask for its support in the countys and the city of Warrentons effort to set aside land in the North Coast Business Park, at Ensign Lane and U.S. Highway 101, for industrial employers.

I think we have to give it a good college try, said Somers, adding that the designation of parts of the Business Park as a Regionally Significant Industrial Area eases permits, adds more support from the state in job creation and protects from zoning conflicts.

The Port Commission agreed with Somers sentiments, voting unanimously to sign a letter of support in the countys application to Business Oregon.

In the 2011 Oregon Legislature, Senate Bill 766 was passed to support advancement of critical job creation on industrial lands statewide by helping preserve the best industrial lands.

The North Coast Business Park was established in 1991 through a trade of foreclosed properties and originally comprised 270 acres. A master planning process started in 1999 and completed in 2000. The plan is to sell the commercial property along the highway, approximately 75 acres, and use the proceeds to cover the costs of developing the remaining property.

Most of the development in that area has been that 75 acres for the North Coast Retail Center, including Goodwill, Costco, Home Depot and others, with land left over. Astoria Ford and Walmart are also planning locations in the business park. A significant industrial area is planned and zoned for industrial use that:

Contains vacant sites, including brownfields suitable for new industrial uses or the expansion of existing industrial uses that provide significant additional employment in the region.

Has characteristics providing competitive advantages that are difficult or impossible to replicate in the region.

Has direct access to rail, port, airport and other multimodal freight or transshipment facilities.

Is located close to labor markets.

The Port has a responsibility to promote economic development countywide, and not just in the Port, said Somers, adding that although the region isnt near Interstate 5, the county owes it to the people to try and create such an area. He added the county is also trying to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fill in parts of the wetlands around he business park for future development.

Interim Executive Director Mike Weston said the designation jibes with the countys and the Ports attempt to create local special enterprise zones, which exempt businesses from local property taxes on new investments.

Weston added the countys business park and the Ports industrial park near the Astoria Regional Airport are a quick drive away from each other.

Somers said thats the next thing hed come to the Port Commission to ask for support. The next step, he added, is to seek support from the Warrenton City Commission and Astoria City Council.