Lower Columbia Economic Development Council (LCEDC / Wahkiakum EDC) of Southwest Washington - Business Resources in Wahkiakum County (Cathlamet, Puget Island, and Skamokawa) and Naselle

Lower Columbia Economic Development Council

P. O. Box 243, Cathlamet, WA 98612
Phone: 360.795.3996 | Fax: 360.795.3944
lcedc@cni.net

Majestic ships travel the Lower Columbia, passing by Skamokawa Vista Park. Photo by Erick Erickson, Cathlamet, WA

Underwater Photo of Salmon. Photo by http://www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/columbia/images/1b_salmon.jpg

Sunsets on the Columbia River are part of the wonder of the place. Photo by LCEDC Webmaster.

Home	Business Resources	Community Profile	Tourism and Recreation	LowerColumbiaEDC.org

Welcome to the Lower Columbia River in scenic Southwest Washington
...where we are ready to do business with you.

Neighbors and Partners
Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce Wahkiakum County Government Town of Cathlamet Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments Cowlitz County EDC Lewis County EDC Grays Harbor EDC Pacific County EDC Pacific County Government

Economic development in the Lower Columbia region is a cooperative effort involving the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, the Wahkiakum Community Foundation, the Town of Cathlamet, the Wahkiakum County government, Port Districts 1 and 2, and the Lower Columbia EDC. In addition, the communities in the Lower Columbia region enjoy strong working relationships with their neighbors in Cowlitz, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties.

The LCEDC Board meetings are held at the LCEDC office on the the first Tuesday each month at 4:00 pm, except for the months of February, July, and December.

The LCEDC (Wahkiakum EDC) offices are located in the Scarborough Building in downtown Cathlamet, overlooking Puget Island and the Columbia River. Photo by LCEDC Webmaster.

The LCEDC (Wahkiakum EDC) offices are located in the Scarborough Building in downtown Cathlamet, overlooking Puget Island and the Columbia River. Photo by LCEDC Webmaster.

The LCEDC is ready to assist you.
The Lower Columbia Economic Development Council is prepared to help you start a business, or locate or expand your business, in our community. For more information, call us at 360.795.3996, or send us an email at lcedc@cni.net

When you are in Cathlamet, drop in for a visit at the Scarborough Building at the corner of Main Street and Broadway.

Overview of Business Resources

The following is some basic information of interest to businesses who may be considering locating or expanding in this area. If you don't find the information you are looking for, please call 360.795.3996, or email lcedc@cni.net

Downloadable Reports and Surveys

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Columbia-Pacific Region
This 90-page report was published by the Columbia-Pacific Resource Conservation & Economic Development District in June 2006. It serves as a comprehensive statement of plans for district-wide economic growth and development over the next 20 years. Contents are organized into 5 major sections: Organization and Staffing for Economic Development, Where Are We, Where Do We Want To Be, How Do We Get There, and How Are We Doing.

Workforce

Median Household Income: $39,444 (Source: 1999 US Census Bureau)

Population Source: US Census

Wahkiakum County
Naselle, WA

1990
3,354
n/a

2000
3,824
377

2005
3,900
377

Labor Statistics (Source: Employment Security Dept - LMEA)

   Resident Labor Force
   Resident Employment
   Unemployed Workers
   Unemployment Rate

May
2004
1,730
1,640
80
5.9%

May
2005
1,700
1,580
120
7.1%

Dec
2005
1,720
1,620
110
6.1%

Non-Agricultural Employment Source: Workforce Explorer

   Logging
   Trade, Transp & Utilities
   Manufacturing
   Construction & Mining
   Other Services
   Government:
      Local Government
      School District
      Federal Government
      State Government

Mar
2004
160
70
50
40
210
280
160
100
10
10

Mar
2005
150
70
50
40
210
270
150
100
10
10

Nov
2005
150
50
50
200
n/a
300
270
80
10
20

Top Ten Employers

	Company	Product / Service	# of Employees
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Jerry DeBriae Logging Co. Wahkiakum County Wahkiakum School District Sunbridge Care & Rehab Ctr Dandy Digger & Supply Wahkiakum West Elochoman Millwork St. James Family Center Campbell Group Wahkiakum P.U.D. #1	Logging Government Public Educational Facilities Elderly & Rehab. Care Center Light Mfr - Post-hole Diggers Communications Custom Doors Day Care & Family Services Forest Management Public Utilities Provider	130 80 68 44 24 21 18 18 9 9

Recent Business Openings or Expansions

	Company	Product / Service	Location
1 2 3 4 5 6	Trillium Books Sani Saendz Answering Svc God-Inspired Healing Therapy Creative Obsession Twin Gables Bed & Breakfast Stockhouse's Farm & Retreat	Retail / Books Business Services Services / Massage Retail / Gifts Lodging: Bed & Breakfast Farm / Lodging	Cathlamet Cathlamet Cathlamet Skamokawa Skamokawa Cathlamet

Construction Investments: Number of Building Permits Issued

      Type
      New Residential Homes
      Manufactured / Mobile Homes
      Non-Residential Buildings
      Remodels, Additions, or Alterations
      Total Permits Issued

2003
21
11
3
11
46

2004
20
7
2
40
69

2005
42
10
4
44
100

A Sample of Commercial Properties Currently Available

Bradley House Inn

Transportation

HIGHWAYS: State Route 4 traverses the LCEDC area from east to west, frequently right along the Columbia River.
     TRUCK: The Lower Columbia Trucking Company has a fleet of 2 trucks that carry general freight within Wahkiakum County. There are also several trucking lines that have interstate authority through Wahkiakum County.
     VAN SERVICE: The Lower Columbia Community Action Council (CAP) operates a van for seniors/medicaid and the Wahkiakum On The Move Van serves the entire county, with stops in Longview, Cathlamet, Skamokawa, Grays River, Rosburg, and Naselle.
     TAXI: Owl Taxi and Bridgeview Taxi both operate out of Longview and are available 24/7 and also offer airport service.

RAILROADS: Rail service for all commodities is available in Longview, WA, from Burlington Northern and Union Pacific railroads. Burlington Northern operates 17 active spurs that are also used by Union Pacific.

AIRPORTS:
     PDX - Portland International Airport: 75 miles southeast of Cathlamet. Longest runway is 11,000 ft/concrete.
     Kelso-Longview Regional Airport: 30 miles east of Cathlamet. Longest runway is 4,300 ft/asphalt.
     Astoria, Oregon, Regional Airport: 50 miles southwest of Cathlamet. Longest runway is 5,800 ft/asphalt.

BY WATER - SHIP / BARGE / FERRY:
The Elochoman Slough Marina is an active place throughout the boating and fishing seasons. Photo by Erick Erickson, Cathlamet, WA ELOCHOMAN SLOUGH MARINA (360.795.3501): A full-service haven serving the needs of the many commercial and pleasure craft plying the mighty Columbia River. The facilities include moorage, ramp, fuel, new restrooms and showers, RV hook-ups, and a covered area with a barbeque. With spaces for more than 300 vessels, river travelers, boating and yachting clubs, commercial fishermen, and recreational boaters are all welcome. The marina is conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Cathlamet stores and restaurants.

FERRY: The Wahkiakum County Ferry offers service from Puget Island on the Washington side to Westport on the Oregon side.

Container and bulk materials shipping are an important element of the region's economy. Photo by LCEDC Webmaster

PORT OF LONGVIEW, WA - 30 miles east of Cathlamet, WA.
PORT OF KALAMA, WA - 40 miles southeast of Cathlamet, WA; has Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) status.
PORT OF ASTORIA, OR - at the mouth of the Columbia River, 50 miles southwest of Cathlamet; full-service port, including cruise ships.
BARGES: Barges are handled at each of these 3 ports.
Haul-out boat repair services are available on Puget Island.

Utilities

Communications	800.465.1465 360.414.5990 800.201.4102	Wahkiakum West Telephone, DirecTV, and High Speed Internet Access Cascade Networks High Speed Internet Access CenturyTel Telephone and DSL Internet Access
Electric	360.795.3266 877.602.6465	Wahkiakum County Public Utility District No. 1 Pacific County Public Utility District No. 2
Water	360.795.3266 360.795.3203 360.484.3815	Wahkiakum County Public Utility District No. 1 Town of Cathlamet Naselle Water Company Individual wells in more remote areas.
Natural Gas Propane Service		Not currently available in Wahkiakum County. Several suppliers based in Cowlitz or Pacific County offer service to this area.
Sewer	360.795.3203 360.795.0028	Town of Cathlamet Skamokawa Sewer & Water District Individual septic systems in all other areas.
Storm Sewer		Storm sewers are only in place within the Town of Cathlamet.
Garbage Service	360.795.3369 360.642.2232	Stanley's Sanitary Service Peninsula Sanitation Service

Financial Institutions

Banks	360.795.3281 360.795.3228 360.484.3226	Bank of America, Cathlamet The Bank of the Pacific, Cathlamet The Bank of the Pacific, Naselle
Realty Offices	800.303.8218 360.795.8299 360.484.3388 360.430.9264	Cathlamet Realty West, Cathlamet Lower Columbia Realty, Cathlamet Western Real Estate Services, Naselle Windermere Real Estate, Cathlamet

Tax Rates

No Washington State corporate income tax.
No Washington State personal income tax.
Business and Occupational (B&O) tax is levied by the State of Washington.
7.5% State and Local Retail Sales Tax with Additional 2% for Transient Lodging Businesses
$10.34 Property Tax Rate in 2004 per $1,000 Assessed Value (Source: Wahkiakum County Assessor, 360.795.3791)
Local insurance firms, accountants and CPA's, tax services, and real estate brokers are available to assist you and can be found in the Membership List of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.

Selected Links for Other Business Resources

Wahkiakum County Government	Town of Cathlamet
Wahkiakum County Building & Planning Dept	Columbia-Pacific Region Comprehensive Plan
Access: Washington State Government	SCORE: Resources for Business
ChooseWashington.com for Businesses	Small Business Administration (SBA)
WA Office of Regulatory Assistance	Washington Manufacturers Association
WA Department of Revenue	Lower Columbia College: Workforce Job Skills Program
Dept of Licensing: Business Licenses

Need More Information or General Business Assistance? We're ready to help you!

The LCEDC offers a variety of services to businesses, including assistance with site location, information on permitting and licensing issues, as well as resources for business plan development and financing.

If you didn't find the information you are looking for, please call 360.795.3996 or email us at lcedc@cni.net

Lower Columbia Economic Development Council, P. O. Box 243, Cathlamet, WA 98612
Phone: 360.795.3996 | Fax: 360.795.3944 | e-mail: lcedc@cni.net