Since being elected as Port of Centralia commissioner, Julie Shaffley has demonstrated the dedication, vision and fiscal responsibility to lead in managing one of the most critical economic drivers in Southwest Washington.
The port has just listed their impressive revised report on fiscal impacts and labor contributions to Centralia and greater Lewis County, and I encourage you to read it on their website, but here are a couple of items Julie has had direct and positive impact on.
Under her guidance, the port is now forecasting businesses in the three industrial parks of Port of Centralia to employ about 3,145 workers in 2026 earning a combined $239 million in wages and benefits vastly made up of family-wage positions.
The three industrial parks expect to generate some $27 million in state and local tax revenue. The total economic output through local employment and purchases of goods and services will exceed $1 billion.
In the past, the unemployment rate for Lewis County was usually two to six points higher than the state average. Due mainly to the recent job growth in the industrial parks, that gap has been reduced to less than one percentage point, now often reported as lower than the state average.
Due largely to her participation, the port quietly and without fanfare, strongly supports all local activities. During the COVID-19 years, the port was instrumental in supporting and assisting all businesses and our communities.
Julie is also well engaged in the local community. A successful business owner for some 35 years, Julie has been a key member of the local Rotary for over 27 years, serving as local president and board member, a member of the Rotary Foundation and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Julie continues as a board member of the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce where countless times her insight to business and desire to serve the community is always a great asset to all local businesses.
As a former commissioner has said, “I will never understand why certain people always feel the port is doing something ‘to them’ instead of ‘for them.’”
People (mostly in a couple of social media accounts) who complain about the growth of our community need to understand their home, their neighborhood, their way of living is all the result of the hard work of the port and their staff.
Julie has strong community ties, ensuring the port development plans are transparent and local concerns — such as noise and traffic — are always being addressed proactively.
The election is fast approaching. There are a couple of debates between Julie and her opponent in the next week. Attend if you can or try to access their questions and responses. The commissioner position needs to continually proactively address sustainability goals and requires experienced, steady leadership.
Julie is the candidate to keep our port competitive and thriving.
Robert Jackins
Chehalis
