Port renews contract for innovation zone

Port of Whitman commissioners renewed Don Tilton’s contract to act as the agency’s Innovation Partnership Zone administrator for another year.

Tilton, head of the Green IT Alliance, will continue to oversee purchases and activities at the port’s Innovation Partnership Zone. All large purchases must be approved by Port officials.

Tilton’s company is attempting to develop and integrate green energy to power a high-powered data center based in a port-owned building in the Pullman Industrial Park.

In 2007, the port was awarded a $1 million grant to set up the zone by the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. Tilton received 10 percent of that grant for payroll and other expenditures.