Port of Ridgefield

What Port of Ridgefield does

Port of Ridgefield is a Washington State public port district, established by Ridgefield voters in 1940 and operating under Title 53 RCW as a special-purpose local government entity. It is headquartered at 101 Mill Street, Suite 100, Ridgefield, WA 98642, and is led by Executive Director Ethan Perry with a small administrative staff overseen by an elected three-member Board of Commissioners (Wiseman, Hughes, Melroy). The Port's mission is community and economic prosperity through land development, infrastructure, and public waterway access rather than commercial product sales.

The Port's core operations span three integrated lines of activity: (1) industrial property leasing via the Wisdom Ridge Business Park, which comprises two 20,000 sq ft buildings subdivided into four 10,000 sq ft suites currently hosting a robotics firm, an HVAC company, the Ridgefield School District, and a trade school; (2) public recreation infrastructure including a boat launch with a fully digital license-plate-linked payment system (HONK Mobile, Flash, ParkWhiz), a kayak launch, and a Derelict Vessel Program administered in partnership with the Washington Department of Natural Resources; and (3) capital development projects including the planned Oak Ridge Business Park, the Greely Building historic redevelopment, and the flagship 40-acre Ridgefield Waterfront Redevelopment executed under a November 2024 development agreement with Palindrome Properties Group, LLC. Underlying technology is light-weight: a GoDaddy/Websphere-hosted public website with Dropbox-linked document repositories, Zoom for public meetings, SurveyMonkey for community input, Google reCAPTCHA on contact forms, and PCI/SOC2-compliant third-party payment platforms.

Revenue mechanics are mixed and unusual for a private-sector analysis. Direct operating revenue comes from boat launch use fees (daily $13, annual resident $75, annual commercial $100), industrial leases at Wisdom Ridge, and intermittent surplus property sales via sealed bid. Capital projects are funded non-dilutively through Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) grants and low-interest loans (notably a $3 million package for the Greely Building in July 2024 and a $75,000 grant for Oak Ridge Business Park), as well as through the newly adopted Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program established by Resolution 2024-411, which is projected to generate $46 million+ in local, state, and federal taxes over a 25-year horizon. The Port is governed as a public agency: there is no equity, no cap table, and no traditional GTM motion beyond community engagement, public meetings, and direct enterprise leasing.

Name

Port of Ridgefield

Legal name

Port of Ridgefield

Website

https://portridgefield.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Port of Ridgefield is a Washington State public port district established in 1940 that promotes economic development through industrial property leasing, public waterway access, and mixed-use waterfront redevelopment serving Ridgefield businesses, residents, and regional partners in the Portland-Vancouver metro.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ridgefield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Boat launch use fees: Recurring and transactional fee-based revenue from the public boat launch on Lake River. Daily permits ($13) via Flash app / QR code / text-to-pay, annual resident permits ($75, exclusive to 98642 ZIP), and commercial annual permits ($100). Two license plates allowed per annual permit starting 2026. Funds operations and maintenance of boat launch and other Port assets.
2. Industrial / commercial property leases: Recurring rental revenue from Port-developed light industrial space at Wisdom Ridge Business Park (two 20,000 sq ft buildings, each subdivided into two 10,000 sq ft suites). Currently hosts a robotics firm, HVAC company, Ridgefield School District, and a trade school; supports over 40 jobs.
3. Government grants and CERB funding: Non-dilutive public funding from Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) — $75,000 grant for Oak Ridge Business Park and a $3M package for the Greely Building ($2.25M low-interest loan + $750,000 grant) — used to catalyze affordable industrial space and economic development.
4. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues: Washington State-legislated funding tool capturing property-tax increment within a designated Tax Increment Area to finance Port infrastructure improvements — subject to State Treasurer's Office review. 25-year initiative expected to generate $46M+ in local/state/federal taxes once operational.
5. Surplus property sales: One-time revenue from sealed-bid sales of surplus vehicles, equipment, and property per Title 53 RCW / RCW 53.08.090. Recent sales: 2016 Ford Flex ($17,557), 2001 Ford F-150 ($6,150), 1997 Club Car ($1,500), 1999 Hyster Forklift ($3,500).
6. Property tax and sales tax generation: Indirect revenue generation through waterfront redevelopment — at full build-out, the Ridgefield Waterfront is expected to generate $1.3M in property taxes and $320,000 in sales tax revenue annually for local jurisdictions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Port of Ridgefield is a Washington State public port district that develops, leases, and manages industrial and mixed-use real estate (Wisdom Ridge Business Park, planned Oak Ridge Business Park, Greely Building, Ridgefield Waterfront), operates public recreation facilities including a boat and kayak launch with digital permit systems, and runs environmental and community programs such as the Derelict Vessel Program, Osprey Cam, and Purple Martin Habitat. Core operations are funded by boat launch use fees, property leases, surplus property sales, government grants, and Tax Increment Financing revenues.

Product overview

Port of Ridgefield operates as a Washington State public port district (established 1940) delivering community and economic prosperity through a portfolio of interconnected real-estate, infrastructure, environmental, and public-access programs rather than a single unified software product. Its core offerings include the Wisdom Ridge Business Park industrial property and the planned Oak Ridge Business Park, the historic Greely Building redevelopment, and the large-scale Ridgefield Waterfront Redevelopment (executed with Palindrome Properties Group). These are funded and enabled by the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program and managed alongside supporting services such as the Boat and Kayak Launch (with digital HonkMobile/ParkWhiz/Jotform permit systems), the Derelict Vessel Program, the Osprey Cam live wildlife stream, the Purple Martin Habitat, Surplus Property Management, the Contractor Opportunities / Small Works Roster, and Public Records Requests.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wisdom Ridge Business Park: Port-developed light industrial business park in Ridgefield featuring two 20,000-square-foot buildings subdivided into 10,000-square-foot suites, hosting a robotics firm, an HVAC company, the Ridgefield School District, and a trade school, and supporting over 40 jobs.
• Oak Ridge Business Park

Products and services

• Wisdom Ridge Business Park (Industrial Park) Light-industrial leasing offering comprising two 20,000-square-foot buildings each subdivided into two 10,000 sq ft suites, hosting a robotics firm, an HVAC company, the Ridgefield School District, a trade school, and the adjacent Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Regional Five Headquarters; supports over 40 jobs.
• Oak Ridge Business Park Planned new 20,000-square-foot industrial building on a two-acre Port-owned site in southwest Ridgefield offering flexible 1,500–2,000 sq ft suites for small businesses and trades, expected to support 30 existing and new jobs and backed by a $75,000 CERB grant.
• Greely Building Redevelopment Historic circa-1920 building acquired by the Port in 2024 via property swap with the Ridgefield School District; being studied for redevelopment into small business and community spaces, supported by a $3 million CERB funding package.
• Ridgefield Waterfront Redevelopment 40-acre mixed-use waterfront project transforming former industrial land, guided by the Port's 2023 Waterfront Business Plan and a 2024 development agreement with Palindrome Properties Group; planned uses include parks, recreation, retail, office space, housing, lodging, and maker/light-industrial spaces, supporting ~335 permanent full-time jobs at full build-out.
• Boat and Kayak Launch Port-owned boat launch at the Ridgefield Waterfront where Lake River meets the Columbia River, with two ramps, a center launch float, day-use dock, paved parking lot, restrooms, ADA-accessible facilities, picnic area, and a separate kayak launch at Division Street; supports daily ($13), resident annual ($75) and commercial annual ($100) permit passes via HONK Mobile, Flash, and ParkWhiz.
• Derelict Vessel Program Public reporting and removal service for abandoned vessels on Lake River and the Lewis River, administered in partnership with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Derelict Vessel Program which fully reimburses the Port for identification and removal costs.
• Osprey Cam Live-streamed camera of the Ridgefield Waterfront osprey nest, delivered through a partnership with Ridgefield School District's Innovation Ridge CAPS, Clark Public Utilities, and the Ridgefield Raptors to support environmental stewardship and educational enrichment.
• Purple Martin Habitat Gourd array installed in April 2026 at the Port's waterfront in partnership with the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to support purple martins, a native migratory bird designated a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program Washington State-legislated funding tool managed by the Port to redirect incremental property tax appreciation within a designated Tax Increment Area (TIA) toward infrastructure and economic development projects; Port's TIA comprises two subareas around the I-5/NE 179th Street, I-5/NE 219th Street interchanges, and the Ridgefield Waterfront.
• Surplus Property Management and Sales Transparent declaration and disposal of surplus real and personal property in alignment with Title 53 RCW, conducted via Port Commission resolutions, CEO delegation for lower-value items, sealed-bid sales, and public participation for property integral to the comprehensive plan. Recent sealed-bid sales include a 2016 Ford Flex ($17,557), 2001 Ford F-150 ($6,150), 1997 Club Car ($1,500), and 1999 Hyster Forklift ($3,500).
• Contractor Opportunities and Small Works Roster Public works and construction contracting program for engineering, industrial construction, commercial building, and small works projects, with current solicitations including EV Parking at the Port of Ridgefield Waterfront (7 Level 3 DC chargers, transformer, 13-space lot; bids due July 1, 2026); contractors register through MRSC Roster.

Quantifiable outcome

• $90 million invested in waterfront cleanup over 30 years
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, moderate, core and minor.

• Palindrome Properties Group, LLCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024In November 2024, the Port of Ridgefield entered into an agreement with Palindrome Properties Group, LLC to begin development planning for the 40-acre Ridgefield Waterfront. The proposal includes parks, recreation, retail, office space, housing, lodging, and maker and light-industrial spaces, reflecting both the Port's 2023 Waterfront Business Plan and the City of Ridgefield's 2016 Downtown/Waterfront Subarea Plan. At full build-out, the project is expected to support about 335 permanent, full-time jobs.
• Ridgefield School DistrictmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024In early 2024, the Port of Ridgefield acquired the circa-1920 Greely Building through a property swap with the Ridgefield School District, with the intent of transforming it into a vibrant economic hub for the community.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Regional Five HeadquarterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe WDFW Regional Five Headquarters occupies a Port-owned building adjacent to the Wisdom Ridge Business Park. The proximity is highlighted by the Port as a key differentiator, fostering collaboration between industry and environmental stewardship agencies.
• Clark Public UtilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClark Public Utilities built several dedicated osprey nest platforms on dedicated poles in the early 2000s to safely relocate ospreys from power transmission poles. Co-partner with the Port of Ridgefield, Ridgefield School District's Innovation Ridge CAPS, and the Ridgefield Raptors on the Osprey Cam streaming initiative.
• Ridgefield School District (Innovation Ridge CAPS)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-partner with the Port of Ridgefield, Clark Public Utilities, and the Ridgefield Raptors on the Osprey Cam streaming initiative to deliver educational enrichment and environmental stewardship programming for students.
• Ridgefield RaptorsmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal baseball team co-partner with the Port of Ridgefield, Clark Public Utilities, and the Ridgefield School District's Innovation Ridge CAPS on the Osprey Cam streaming initiative to highlight the natural environment at the Ridgefield Waterfront.
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Port participates in the Washington State Derelict Vessel Program administered by the Department of Natural Resources. DNR fully reimburses the Port for the identification and removal of abandoned vessels that pose threats to human health and the environment on Lake River and the Lewis River.
• HonkMobile (HONK)coreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial annual boat launch pass provider — digital permits are tied to a vehicle's license plate via the HONK app, supporting up to two plates per pass starting in 2026. The Port's system is PCI & SOC2 compliant.
• Flash (parking app) and ParkWhizmoderateTechnology or IntegrationFlash app supports daily boat launch passes paid via QR code or text-to-pay (license-plate-linked). ParkWhiz enables pre-purchase of daily passes online for users without a smartphone on-site.
• Fire District 6 and Clark County Fire & RescuemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterlocal Agreements signed with Fire District 6 and Clark County Fire & Rescue as part of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) initiative, addressing revenue impacts on fire districts and including alternate financial models for levy lid lifts.
• Washington State Treasurer's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Washington State Treasurer's Office reviews TIF projects within the Port's Tax Increment Area to ensure they meet the requirements of TIF legislation. Produced an Analysis Review PDF document for the Port's TIF proposal.
• City of RidgefieldflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing planning partnership for the Waterfront — the City and Port co-developed the Waterfront Mixed Use zone and High Intensity Shoreline area; joint 2016 Downtown/Waterfront Subarea Plan and 2011 Downtown/Waterfront Integration Action Plan; the City recently created its own TIF program with a Voluntary Mitigation Plan that the Port will model; coordination on waterfront access improvements, kayak launch, and transportation.
• Washington State Department of EcologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCleanup of the port and city-owned waterfront property was completed by 2015 in coordination with the Washington State Department of Ecology. The Port and Ecology developed permanent environmental rules for the waterfront property to manage environmental risk during redevelopment. Cleanup of the former Pacific Wood Treating site took over 20 years and $90M+.
• Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination on wildlife protections, trail connections, and educational programming; the Refuge is a major draw to Ridgefield and the Port's waterfront business plan guides strengthening the relationship with the Refuge.
• Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Port of Vancouver USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partners in the Southwest Washington purple martin habitat network — the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge has seven purple martin gourd arrays on refuge property, with arrays also at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Washougal and at Port of Vancouver USA property west of downtown Vancouver.
• MRSC Roster (Municipal Research and Services Center)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContractors interested in the Port's Small Works Roster register through the MRSC Roster online platform.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Washington Public Ports Association: Industry association representing Washington State public port districts under Title 53 RCW — not a peer but the institutional ecosystem the Port operates within, including shared advocacy for TIF legislation and Small Works Roster programs.
• City of Ridgefield: Adjacent municipal government partner co-developing the Downtown/Waterfront Subarea Plan with the Port and operating its own parallel TIF program; not a direct peer but the Port's closest local-government counterpart for waterfront planning, tax-base growth, and infrastructure coordination.

Direct peers

• Port of Kalama: Washington State public port district running industrial parks, recreational marina/launch facilities, and waterfront redevelopment on the Columbia River — similar Title 53 mandate and portfolio mix of industrial leasing plus public waterway access.
• Port of Skamania County: Small Washington State public port district operating public boat launches, industrial sites, and economic development programs in the Columbia River Gorge — comparable small-team, multi-purpose public port model.
• Port of Woodland: Small Washington State public port district in Cowlitz County operating industrial property and boat launch/marina facilities along the Columbia and Lewis rivers — directly comparable scale and statutory framework to Port of Ridgefield.
• Port of Camas-Washougal: Small Washington State public port district in Clark County operating a public boat launch, marina services, and light industrial property — closely comparable in size, statutory basis, and mix of recreational water access plus industrial leasing.

Broad incumbents

• Port of Olympia: Washington State public port district operating marinas, boat launches, industrial property, and waterfront redevelopment projects in Thurston County — comparable Title 53 mandate with a similar mix of recreational boating access and industrial real estate redevelopment.
• Port of Longview: Larger Washington State public port district in Cowlitz County with deepwater terminal operations and industrial property; operates under the same Title 53 RCW framework and pursues TIF and waterfront redevelopment, providing a comparable public-sector industrial development model at greater scale.
• Port of Bellingham: Larger Washington State public port district managing marinas, industrial parks, and significant waterfront redevelopment (including the Waterfront District mixed-use project) — same statutory basis as Port of Ridgefield and a useful reference point for the TIF/waterfront playbook at scale.
• Port of Vancouver USA: Neighboring Washington State public port district on the Columbia River; much larger in scale but operates under the same Title 53 RCW framework, runs industrial property, marina/boat launch facilities, and pursues TIF and brownfield redevelopment — directly comparable governance and statutory mandate as Port of Ridgefield.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PortRidgefield

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Port of Ridgefield