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The Port of Chelan County was established by Chelan County voters in the fall of 1958 as a means of leveraging local resources, under local control, to enhance the local economy. Initial efforts focused on developing navigation facilities on the Columbia River to barge locally produced products and commodities.
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Olds Station Business Park 1967
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Olds Station Business Park 2007
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The Port then focused efforts on industrial lands and the ownership and operation of Pangborn and Lake Chelan airports. The Port was also one of the first economic development agencies in the state to embrace tourism as an economic development strategy.
The Port has since acquired and developed lands in Olds Station, just north of Wenatchee. Over 500 people are currently employed at businesses and agencies that are Port tenants or have purchased portions of Port property.
History of Washington State Port Districts
Since 1911, the State of Washington has allowed local voters to create port districts to carryout a variety of economic development activities. The first public ports established in the state, such as Seattle and Grays Harbor, were dedicated to the pursuit of traditional port marine activities.
In 1955, the Washington State Legislature amended the law to allow for the creation of port districts in areas lacking navigable waters or traditional harbor facilities. This was with the realization that port purposes could be achieved through other, similar activities, such as airports and industrial development. The law was further amended in 1984 to authorize port districts to promote trade and tourism as recognized economic development activities.