Progressive Pasture Management
Searching for Sustainability
Cultivating Sustainability
News for Friends of Blue Mountain Station
Jennie's Gems
By Jennie Dickinson, Manager, Port of Columbia
Click on image above to enlarge.
The Port of Columbia is now officially the proud owner of the 28 acre Bell Farm! The land transaction closed on October 30th, setting the stage for Blue Mountain Station’s physical identity to take shape. Conceptual site drawings were prepared as part of the process in seeking funding, but now comes the task of bringing them to life.
Now that the land has been secured, the Blue Mountain Station executive committee is in the process of refining the original site concept to take into consideration comments received from neighbors and adjacent land owners during informational meetings, comments received from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Ecology during the SEPA review process, and eco-friendly elements that need further definition.
The next official step in our planning process will be the preparation of a binding site plan or other subdivision-type plan required by the county. These types of plans define lot configuration, utilities placement, street and road placement, and open space areas – the roadmap for project construction and implementation. Therefore it is important that we spend a little time solidifying our site concept and preparing the appropriate planning documents before breaking ground.
Public input will be sought as our planning proceeds, so stay tuned for notice of your opportunity to help shape the future of Blue Mountain Station!
Washington State Ranks #2
By Gary A. White
According to Forbes.com, Washington is the second best state in the United States for doing business.
Washington State #2
2008 Rank |
3 |
Business Costs Rank |
27 |
Labor Rank |
2 |
Regulatory Environment |
5 |
Economic Climate |
3 |
Growth Prospects |
1 |
Quality of Life |
24 |
How about the other West Coast states?
Oregon #10
2008 Rank |
16 |
Business Costs Rank |
17 |
Labor Rank |
6 |
Regulatory Environment |
41 |
Economic Climate |
13 |
Growth Prospects |
17 |
Quality of Life |
25 |
California #38
2008 Rank |
40 |
Business Costs Rank |
50 |
Labor Rank |
22 |
Regulatory Environment |
39 |
Economic Climate |
27 |
Growth Prospects |
10 |
Quality of Life |
26 |
TOP FOOD TRENDS OVER THE NEXT DECADE
Organic |
41% |
Restaurant meals eaten in-home |
20% |
Light/lite/diet/low calorie labels |
18% |
Salty/savory snack foods |
16% |
Easy meals (fruit, snacks as meals, yogurt, bars) |
16% |
Appetizers as in-home main meals |
16% |
Leftovers as end dish foods |
15% |
Fresh as end dish foods |
14% |
Source: The NPD Group
Food Processors
Let's talk about the Blue Mountain Station opportunity!
Meet with Dennis or Gary at the NASFT Fancy Food Show, in San Francisco on January 17th or 18th, 2010.
Call in advance for an appointment:
Dennis Miller: 509-551-1913
Gary A. White: 509-539-3575
