Port partner says Terminal 1 set to handle soda ash; maritime academy opens for high school students

Clark County’s port is preparing to handle a new commodity — soda ash — and has opened a small maritime academy for high school students, a county port partner said at the Sept. 8 neighborhood meeting.

Julie, identified at the meeting as the county partner for port matters, said the port is converting an area to receive soda ash, which she described as “a very benign product. It's almost like baking soda.” She said the commodity arrives by train, will be stored in an enclosed warehouse and be shipped by vessel to overseas markets for use in glass manufacturing and solar panels. “It comes by train … it's unloaded and goes into a big dump pit … then there's a conveyor belt system that puts it in a big warehouse, and it's stored there until a ship comes,” Julie said.

Julie also said the port has opened a maritime academy in a converted building with Cascade Tech Academy, an affiliate of Evergreen Public Schools. She said the program currently has 18 students in a morning session and 25 in an afternoon session; classes were delayed for nearly two weeks because the regional schools were impacted by a strike. Julie said the academy is intended to help build a future workforce for port‑related industries.

She encouraged residents to visit the port booth at the local farmers market to learn more about Terminal 1 and upcoming activities; staff planned to hand out what she called a “Terminal 1 cookie.” Residents asked whether soda ash can disperse into the air and whether it presents environmental issues; Julie responded that the rail cars arrive covered and that the material must remain dry, and that many shipments are covered or sprayed to keep dust in place.

Residents also asked about the port’s role handling auto imports. Julie said Subaru imports remained strong and that she had not observed a change in import volumes at the port despite changing tariff headlines. “So far, so good,” she said.

Clarifying details - Soda ash handling: Cars arrive covered; material unloaded into a pit and moved by conveyors into a covered warehouse prior to ship loading. (Julie) - Maritime academy enrollment: 18 students in a morning session, 25 in an afternoon session; start delayed by almost two weeks due to a strike affecting schools. (Julie) - Public outreach: Port staff planned to have an information booth at the farmers market and planned public outreach about Terminal 1. (Julie)

Speakers - Julie — county partner for port matters (presenter) - Debbie — resident who asked about environmental dispersion (questioner) - Steve (neighborhood participant) — asked about Subaru arrivals (questioner)

Proper names mentioned - Cascade Tech Academy (education program) - Evergreen Public Schools (school district) - Terminal 1 (port facility) - Subaru (auto importer)

Searchable_tags:["port","soda ash","maritime academy","Terminal 1","Clark County"]

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