DEDICATION PARTY: Help the Port of The Dalles celebrate its newest shovel-ready industrial land Friday, July 31, from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
THE DALLES, Ore. — The Port of The Dalles will take to the air to celebrate the new Columbia Gorge Industrial Center and hopes the community will come along for the ride Friday, July 31.
Quadcopter exhibition races and a mass kite-flying event will carry out the theme “Up in the Air and Down by the River,” for the Port’s community-friendly dedication party at the Industrial Center. The event starts at 1:30 p.m. and continues until 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Kites and Lockheed Martin balsa wood gliders will be given away to children, one each while supplies last.
Kite flyers at the Dedication Party will be encouraged to launch their kites into the air together. An aerial photo will be taken from a quadcopter to commemorate the occasion.
“We’re celebrating with a flight theme because we are trying to recruit businesses in the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry, which is anticipating huge growth from development of commercial markets,” said Andrea Klaas, Port executive director.
The Columbia River Gorge has a solid foundation of business and expertise in unmanned and robotics sectors thanks to the presence of Insitu and related businesses here. The potential for industry growth is significant as regulations are established and the systems are put to increasingly diverse uses.
“Of course, we would welcome most any clean industry with well-paying jobs, but we are focusing recruitment efforts on several key sectors.”
Technology firms, value-added agriculture, beverage production and sporting goods are other sectors be recruited. The development offers state-certified, shovel-ready lots of one acre and larger, complete with streets, sidewalks, water, sewer, electrical and high-speed Internet service.
Local, state and national dignitaries also will be on hand to help cut the ribbon, including U.S. Rep. Greg Walden.
The celebration will by held at the Columbia Gorge Industrial Area. Take Interstate 84, Exit 82, and turn toward the Columbia River. Once past the exit, take the first left onto River Trail Way.
For more information about the Dedication Party or the Columbia Gorge Industrial Area, please contact the Port of The Dalles at 541-298-4148 or go online to www.portofthedalles.com.
