The Astoria City Council adopted a resolution to approve the redesignation and amendment of the Clatsop County Enterprise Zone, extending the zone and adjusting a small area of the Astoria West map so the zone meets state statutory criteria.

Kevin Leahy, who presented the county’s proposal to council, said the original enterprise zone was established in February 2015 and that the city joined as a sponsor in 2018. Leahy said the county has had four participating projects to date with an estimated $75 million in private investment and roughly 135 new jobs tied to that activity.

Under state rules, enterprise-zone designation requires meeting one of two economic thresholds; Leahy said the amendment focused on a small sliver of the downtown map where census measurements put the area outside the income threshold. The amended boundary keeps the county in compliance while leaving existing participants unaffected, Leahy said.

Councilor Lomp moved to adopt the redesignation resolution and Councilor Davis seconded. The council approved the resolution by roll call; the meeting record shows ayes from all council members present.

City staff briefed the council on eligibility criteria for zone participants: eligible businesses include manufacturers, processors, shippers, call centers and headquarters-type facilities (hotels and resorts were excluded in the city’s original zone language by direction of the council in 2018). A minimum business investment threshold for participation remains $50,000, and employers must create at least one full-time job or increase base employment by 10% inside the zone to qualify for exemption benefits.

Supporters said the enterprise zone is a tool to diversify and expand the local economy. Council discussion briefly noted that if a specific hotel or other project later sought to use the zone, the council and county could amend boundaries or language on a case-by-case basis.

The council’s resolution directs staff to file the redesignation application on a schedule required by state law.