Photos Provided
Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Port of Chehalis Executive Director Lindsey Senter at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Port of Chehalis as they complete one of the Port’s significant projects, Phase I of Grain Terminal & Transload Facility.
By Cynthia Mudge
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce
The Port of Chehalis was established in 1986, but its roots trace back to the 1950s, when a group of local business leaders championed economic development for the community. Their determination and entrepreneurial spirit helped bring about a change in state legislation that allowed cities to establish their own port districts. Prior to this change, only counties had the authority to create ports.
Although the Port of Chehalis was officially formed in 1986, it did not hire its first staff until the early 1990s. The port’s first employee was Heidi Pehl, a respected businesswoman and community leader who served as executive director.
While economic development is a common mission among ports, Port Director Lindsey Senter emphasizes that each community has unique needs.
“If you’ve seen one port, you’ve seen one port,” Senter said. “Ports may share a common mission, but they serve their communities in different ways and cannot be measured by the same standards.”
The Port of Chehalis is committed to strategic growth and the creation of quality jobs throughout the region.
“Strategic planning is our commission’s primary function, outside of generating quality jobs for the community,” Senter said.
One example of that long-term planning is the development of the LaBree Road Interstate 5 interchange. Recognizing future transportation needs before they became challenges, the port worked to ensure that economic growth would not worsen traffic congestion in downtown Chehalis. The interchange provides a direct route for commercial traffic, allowing trucks to enter and exit the area without traveling through the city center.
The port’s responsibilities also include purchasing and selling land, overseeing land development, and leveraging existing assets such as the community’s strategic location and access to rail service.
Working in partnership with the Southwest Washington Growers Cooperative, the port helped make a grain terminal and transload facility possible. That investment has already supported new opportunities for local agriculture, including community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs that connect farmers directly with consumers through weekly subscriptions for locally grown produce and other farm products.
Among the port’s most significant recent economic development achievements is its role in negotiating the new Amazon fulfillment center under construction on Rush Road, across from the port office. The new facility is expected to employ between 500 and 1,000 people upon completion. Amazon is known for offering competitive wages, educational opportunities, and employee benefits.
The Port of Chehalis also invests in initiatives that enhance the broader community. The port was a key supporter in the creation of CoWorks, a shared workspace in downtown Chehalis designed for remote workers, entrepreneurs, and travelers who need a professional environment while on the road. In addition, the port sold the existing rail line to the Railroad Museum for $1, helping preserve an important piece of the community’s history.
“We’ve had an excellent commission that works diligently to ensure the best outcomes for our community,” Senter said.
The Port of Chehalis is governed by a three-member commission responsible for setting the organization’s strategic direction. A staff of three carries out the commission’s vision, helping position the community for continued economic growth and opportunity in the years ahead.
