Port negotiating new lease with Columbia Rail

DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on October 8, 2025. Commissioners Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, Executive Director Jennie Dickinson, and Economic Development Coordinator Shane Laib were present. Chair Seth Bryan attended via Zoom.

During public comment, Skip Mead expressed frustration that he was speaking for the third time on the same issue and asked, “How many times do I have to say it? Don’t sell the railroad.”

Commissioners handled several administrative items, including setting a public hearing on next year’s budget for the November 12 regular meeting.

Dickinson presented renderings for the Mainstem Malt facility. The lease is still being negotiated with Mainstem Malt.

The lease with Columbia Rail must be negotiated, and Dickinson said that both the port and the rail operator want to keep operating the railroad service. The commissioners agreed to allow Dickenson to hire a consultant with expertise in complex negotiations.

Until a new lease for the railroad is approved, the port and the rail operator will continue under the current lease. After it expires, it will move to a month-to-month agreement under the current terms, unless terminated by either party or by signing a new lease agreement.

Lyon Ferry projects are still moving forward as the port works on permitting. The port will release more information to the public by December 2025.

Dickinson said the lower Snake River Wind Project was expanding, and larger blades to generate more power would replace the current blades on some of the existing towers.

Dickinson shared some photographs from the past weekend’s 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) of Columbia County and said the port received many positive comments from the community. Laib thanked the Sesquicentennial Committee for its work.

Laib spoke about the port’s support for the Touchet Valley Community Showcase, to be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Fair Pavilion from 12 to 5 p.m. Harvest and Harmony is organizing the event, which will showcase nearly 30 local businesses and a variety of practical demonstrations. 

Laib said that, according to Katie Leid, the public pool will cost three million dollars, be built at the site of the former pool, and include retrofitting the former shower and changing house. The pool will have appropriate markings for swim meets.

During the second public comment period, Phil Newman from Mainstem Malt thanked the port for its support during the planning process. Chuck Ketterman asked if the commissioners could officially vote to put the sale of the railroad to rest.

The next meeting of the Port of Columbia Commissioners is 5 p.m., November 12, 2025, at the port office conference room and on Zoom.