Friends of The Port of Olympia

A Joint Project of

Thurston County Chamber

and

International Longshore

and Warehouse Union,

Local #47

Our objective

Build public awareness

and support for the

Port of Olympia as a key

contributor to the

economic, environmental

and cultural health of our

community

Our local heritage

Olympia is one of only six deep-water ports on Puget Sound.

But do local residents

today understand

how important the

Port of Olympia is to

Thurston County?

The good news

81% say the Port has a

positive impact on

Thurston County

The Port’s diverse contributions

A major economic engine

79% say jobs provided and

supported by Port are

significant contributor to

local economy

Economic contributions take many forms

• Port grants to small cities in

Thurston County

• 82% say Port is important to

develop international ties

• 70% say Port properties can

have positive impact on

downtown revitalization

• 51% say Port’s free-trade

zones have positive impact

on county

Economic Impacts (2009)

• 7,249 total direct, indirect and induced jobs

• $350.7 million in total wages

• $1.1 billion in revenue generated by local businesses

• $439.7 million in local purchases

• $31.2 million in state and local taxes revenues

Trending in the right direction

Marine Terminal Labor Hours

Port Operating Revenue

Impact on economy

should be #1 factor

in Port’s mission

Rated above

environmental impact,

return to taxpayers and

contributions to local

culture and diversity

But …

Nearly half (48%) say Port is important for those working there, but doesn’t affect them directly

Making Thurston County a cleaner place to live

71% say Port clean up of legacy pollution is important

Comprehensive commitment to environmental stewardship

• Best practices in stormwatermanagement

• Sustainable management practices – conservation and recycling

• Cascade Pole site cleanup

• Budd Inlet sediment cleanup

• Removal of derelict creosote pilings

• Moving cargo for renewable energy projects

Supporting cultural diversity

83% say the Port makes a positive contribution to the culture of Thurston County

Emergency management

ROI to Taxpayers

• Port taxes are 18.4 cents per $1000 assessed value -- $37 per year for a $200,000 house

• Half think the Port is “well run,” but one-third don’t know

• 67% originally say Port is good value to taxpayers

• After hearing list of everything Port does, 77% say it’s a good value

Continuing innovations

• The Port of Olympia helps make Thurston County a better place to live, work and raise a family

• It’s up to all of us to strengthen this unique community asset

Looking Ahead