Huge crane offloads twin’s
parts at Port of Vancouver

The Port of Vancouver USA took another step toward leadership in wind energy and heavy lift project cargo handling today, taking delivery of its second huge mobile harbor crane.

Under a dark canopy of clouds, the port’s first Liebherr LHM500 mobile harbor crane picked up sections of the second identical crane off the vessel Heranger at the port’s Terminal 2.

The new crane will be put together from sections, including an 80-wheen chassis, over the next few weeks at the port.

The first crane, acquired in 2006, has been a key factor in the port’s wind energy and heavy lift project cargo growth over the last two years. Each crane has the capacity to lift up to 140 metric tons—the equivalent of two space shuttles. They are the largest mobile harbor cranes in North America

The new crane was ordered in October 2008 and built in Rostock, Germany. It was put on a ship in Austria last month for a transatlantic voyage that included passage through the Panama Canal.

Since 2006, the Port of Vancouver has been globally recognized as a wind power and project cargo logistics hub for regional, national and international projects.

With the rapid growth of the wind energy industry, the port is poised to increase jobs and income in southern Washington, and sustain related jobs in rail, trucking, engineering, wind farm construction and wind farm maintenance.

In 2009, the port is expected to create as many as 100,000 longshore work hours, or more, on wind energy cargo alone.

 

Port of Camas-Washougal wants more
public participation on industrial park plan

The Port of Camas-Washougal, establishing a master development plan for its 122-acre East Industrial Park area east of the port industrial park, is seeking further community feedback, according to port executive director David Ripp.

MacKay & Sposito and JLA Public Involvement are providing general information about the East Industrial Park property and the process for establishing the master development plan. Several design options are under consideration.

Citizens are invited to visit the port’s website to learn more about the project, view the design options, and share comments, suggestions or concerns, says Ripp. Further information can be found by going to the port website, www.portcw.com. Comments may be posted online.

The Port will hold a second Open House in mid-April. For further information, call 835‐2196  extension 101.

Janet Harte speaker for Business
Success Association Wednesday

Janet Harte, certified business advisor for the Washington Small Business Development Center at Washington State University Vancouver, will discuss small businesses and the federal economic stimulus package at a Business Success Association meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, in the Hometown Buffet, 7809-B NE Vancouver Plaza Drive.

There is a $10 registration fee. The lunch is no-host. For further information, call BSA executive director Donna Owen, 635-2933.

First Indy employees working
to help replenish food banks

To help local food banks replenish low food supplies, First Independent employees are asking the public to help by bringing non-perishable food to any of the bank’s 24 branches and offices in southwest Washington and Oregon through Friday, March 27. For further information, go to www.firstindy.com.

News brief

Clark County is expected to save an estimated $15,000 annually on the purchase of bottled and jug water by its new policy prohibiting departments and agencies from buying bottled water, including at county funded or sponsored events. Bottled water is 240 to 10,000 times more expensive than tap water, according to county officials. However bottled water may be purchased from vending machines.

Calendar

The Magenta Theater is presenting a Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Jaynie Roberts, at 7 p.m. this evening and Saturday, March 21, in the Magenta Theater, 606 Main Street. There is also a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21. For ticket information, call 635-4358. <> The Southwest Washington Blood Program is conducting a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in the New Heights Church, 7913 NE 58th Avenue. <> The Vancouver School District Foundation’s annual Operation Fairy Godmother, open to all county high school girls, is from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in the Westfield Vancouver Mall. Girls may buy prom dresses for $10. For further information, call 313-4730.

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar