Oregon International Port of Coos Bay PORT DEVELOPS DRAFT STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay initiated a strategic business planning process during the fall of 2013. Due to several staff and commission changes in 2013 and early 2014, the process was put on hold and restarted in the fall of 2014. The initial project findings, including stakeholder interviews, a market analysis, and facilities assessment, were presented at a public meeting in October 2014. Since that meeting, Port Staff and Commissioners have worked with the consultant team to develop the Draft Strategic Business Plan. The Plan aims to integrate separate business line long-term planning documents into a single comprehensive plan that will enable Port Staff and Commission to develop projects and policy priorities to guide economic development over the next 20 years.
Why is the Port creating this plan? There are several reasons the Port of Coos Bay has initiated an updated strategic business planning process. First, changing global, national and regional trends in trade and commerce, transportation, energy and other critical sectors necessitates a new long-term plan for the Port. And second, as a public port district, the Port is able to access state funding in pursuit of economic development for the region, and the State of Oregon requires public port districts to establish and utilize a strategic business plan adopted by their boards of commissioners in order to be eligible to receive future grant funding and to pursue loans from various state programs. Business Oregon is providing funding assistance to help Oregon ports review and complete their strategic plans. The Port of Coos Bay is utilizing the available funding assistance to update and consolidate existing planning documents for its diverse business units throughout the port district, including operations in Charleston – the marina, the commercial ice plant, the RV park and the boatyard, property holdings in the upper bay and on the North Spit of lower Coos Bay, and the Coos Bay rail line corridor in Coos, western Douglas and western Lane Counties. This all inclusive planning approach allows more effective and insightful identification and execution of development opportunities in the marine, rail, industrial and energy sectors, the commercial fishing and seafood industry and recreational tourism. Effective long-term planning will help focus the Port’s efforts in these areas and will contribute significantly to the economic prosperity of Oregon’s bay area and communities in the region.
The State of Oregon requires that public port districts have a current strategic business plan in place in order to receive future grant funding or to access state loan programs. For more information, please contact: Brooke Walton Oregon International Port of Coos Bay 541-267-7678
www.portofcoosbay.com
KEY FINDINGS
KEY ACTIONS
The Port supports maritime industry, recreation, tourism, and serves as an economic development and transportation advocacy organization. The Port has a diverse portfolio of assets such as marine industrial facilities, rail infrastructure, and a variety of facilities in Charleston.
Infrastructure and facility improvements and upgrades are necessary to maintain existing clients and expand economic development opportunities across all Port business lines. Continue to enhance the Coos Bay rail line infrastructure and service in pursuit of 1 to 2 unit trains per day.
The purchase and rehabilitation of the Coos Bay rail line has had significant, positive impact on local shippers – carload traffic has more than doubled since 2012.
Continued Port investment in Charleston is key to supporting the commercial fishing and tourism industries as well as the private businesses at the Boatyard.
1 to 2 unit trains are needed to support long-term Coos Bay Rail Line profitability.
The Port’s continued efforts to maintain and improve the navigation channel are key to long-term success.
BOATYARD IMPROVEMENT CONCEPT PLAN
When will the strategic business plan be complete? The current schedule calls for final Port Commission review and adoption in July 2015. When adopted, Port staff will develop work plans to implement the various actions identified in the strategic business plan. During the planning process, the Port will continue to pursue current commitments to rail line rehabilitation and operations, and development opportunities throughout the Coos Bay harbor and in Charleston. For more information, please contact: Brooke Walton Oregon International Port of Coos Bay | 541-267-7678 bwalton@portofcoosbay.com | www.portofcoosbay.com