Port updated on site revitalization program

COLFAX - The Port of Whitman County received an update on projects affected by the $500,000 Community Revitalization Grant.

During the regular Thursday, Oct. 10, commission meeting Haley and Aldrich representative Sarah Sieloff presented stating it is a four year running grant, closing Sept. 30, 2027.

The Port received the $500,000 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lead community-wide brownfields assessment.

Community member nominated sites for the program include the Flour Mill in Oakesdale; a former restaurant and gas station in St. John; the former roundhouse site in Tekoa and a standard oil site in Rosalia.

There are three nominations for Colfax including the Cocking Property, St. Ignatius Hospital and the Cochran property.

Sieloff reported the Port continues to seek nominations from the community.

"I think that has gone well," said Port of Whitman Executive Director Kara Riebold. "Tekoa nominated its site."

Reibold noted this is in the private sector and nomination forms have been filled out by businesses and public entities.

Sieloff said the seven sites have been submitted but there are nine Phase Ones and the possibility for ten or eleven.

"These are the seven most solid nominations we've had," said Sieloff, noting they are using some of those funds and still accepting.

"They do not have to be owned by the Port if the Port wants to perform the clean up," Sieloff said.

In other news, the Port Commissioners held their first preliminary 2025 workshop.

Reibold reported the year is projected to end at a $20 million budgeted revenue.

The Port of Whitman will hold several meetings early next week, including a Joint County-Port Commission Meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, from 1 to 2 p.m. at 302 North Mill Street, Colfax; a Strategic Commission Planning Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pullman; and the regular Commission Meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 9. a.m. to 12 p.m. at 302 North Mill Street.