Port welcomes Soy Transportation Coalition to celebrate farmer contribution to Terminal 4 Expansion Project
Press Release:
August 1, 2024
Contact: Kayla Dunlap, Director of Government & Public Affairs
kdunlap@portgrays.org or 360-581-4776
ABERDEEN, WASH. – On Tuesday, the Port of Grays Harbor welcomed dozens of farmer-members of the Soy Transportation Coalition to celebrate the contribution of $1.3 million to the Terminal 4 Expansion & Redevelopment Project. The generous contribution from the Iowa Soybean Association, the Kansas Soybean Commission, the Nebraska Soybean Board, the North Dakota Soybean Council, the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, the Soy Transportation Coalition and the United Soybean Board was announced in late-fall 2022, following the Port’s PIDP award.
Recognizing the benefits to American soybean farmers, the contribution helped offset pre-engineering, design and site development costs for the transformational Terminal 4 Project which will add 40,000 feet of additional rail within its Marine Terminal Complex, a new fendering system and a stormwater collection and treatment facility at T4 and create more than 30 acres of additional cargo laydown area to support future operations at Terminal 4A.
“This contribution aided this transformative project during a critical point,” shared Executive Director Leonard Barnes. “But this project isn’t just about Grays Harbor. This project is about all of you—the farmers—and the transportation of a global food source. And we can’t thank you enough for having the confidence in AGP, our Port, and this project to step up and be willing to play such a role.”
“It was an easy decision to invest in this project, as the movement of soymeal to global markets benefits farmers near and far,” explained Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek. “Partnerships like these will continue to pay dividends well into the future for everyone involved.”
The Port’s Project will support AGP’s second commodity export facility to be constructed at Terminal 4B resulting in increased ag exports generating additional vessel calls and more than 80 full-time, family-wage jobs.
“Over the years, AGP has developed a very strong relationship with customers in Southeast Asia,” explained AGP Chairman of the Board Lowell Wilson. “This project at the Port will significantly improve speed, capacity, and product availability for the benefit of our current and future customers. In short, the work being done here will ensure the direct link from the farmer to the international customer grows ever stronger.”
“The financial contribution the Soy Transportation Coalition and the supporting Associations have committed to this important infrastructure project does not go unnoticed by the Port and our community,” stated Port Commission President Phil Papac. “We are incredibly proud of the role the Port plays in exporting the crops that you grow, that AGP processes, and that help feed millions of people throughout the world.”
Founded in 1911, the Port of Grays Harbor is one of Washington State’s oldest port districts and Washington’s only deep-water port located directly on the Pacific Ocean. The Port of Grays Harbor operates 4 deep-water marine terminals, the Westport Marina, Bowerman Airport, Grays Harbor Pilotage Services, numerous public waterfront access facilities, and industrial and business parks throughout the County. The addition of Satsop Business Park increased the Port’s properties to more than 1,000 acres of industrial properties and an additional 1,200 acres of sustainably managed forestland. Strategically located midway between Seattle and Portland and less than 1 ½ hours from open sea, the Port of Grays Harbor provides businesses a diverse portfolio of facilities. More information on the Port of Grays Harbor’s facilities and operations is available at portofgraysharbor.com or satsop.com
The Port Commissioners and Executive Director are presented with a ceremonial check from the Soy Transportation Coalition and members of its supporting associations for the Terminal 4 Expansion & Redevelopment Project
Members of the Soy Transportation Coalition from throughout the U.S. joined AGP Board members and staff, along with ILWU Local 24 representatives and Port Commissioners and staff to celebrate their contribution to the T4 Project
