Clallam County weighs $935,000 Opportunity Fund package to lure Riverside Forest Products to Forks

Clallam County staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 13 on a recommendation from the Opportunity Fund Board to support Riverside Forest Products USA’s proposed mill in Forks with a combined $935,000 package: a $260,000 loan and a $675,000 grant contingent on the City of Forks executing a lease with Riverside. The board directed staff to schedule a public hearing on the application for Nov. 4.

The County presentation said the $260,000 loan would pay primarily for immediate repairs to an industrial building in the Forks Industrial Park — insulation replacement, interior office work, lighting and electrical upgrades, added fire suppression and exterior repairs — and would need to be available within roughly 45–90 days of execution of the lease. The larger grant component is intended to support a planned PUD mainline electrical extension needed for later phases of the project, with work anticipated to begin in the 2026 calendar year.

County staff emphasized conditions and contingencies. Staff told commissioners the Opportunity Fund recommendation is conditioned on the city and Riverside Forest Products USA finalizing a lease. Commissioners were also told ongoing negotiations remain on stormwater and other technical matters; staff said the PUD upgrades will require permits, potential archaeological assessments and could increase the project’s cost beyond an early $470,000 estimate noted for a portion of the work.

Molly (county staff) described Riverside’s operations and market logic: Riverside is a mill operator with roots in British Columbia that seeks to mill larger logs locally that otherwise are being trucked more than 200 miles to other facilities. Staff and commissioners discussed projected employment and payroll: the application cites roughly 40–50 jobs, with an average hourly wage figure noted in the materials, as well as a capital expenditure estimate for mill equipment purchases.

Commissioners and staff also cited outside support for the project. Staff said the governor’s strategic reserve fund has allocated $200,000 for the project and that the Washington State Department of Commerce has published a feature on the effort. County officials framed the investment as part of a broader West End economic strategy that could support biomass and other value‑added uses of residual forest material.

Next steps: County staff told the board they will bring the Opportunity Fund application forward for a public hearing on Nov. 4, at which the public may comment and the board will consider whether to finalize the award and terms. The staff presentation said the county’s loan would be tied to the City of Forks’ lease revenue and that LGIP (Local Government Investment Pool)‑based loan terms were discussed as the basis for interest rate assumptions.

Speakers listed in the meeting packet said Riverside representatives attended the Opportunity Fund Board meeting and the county will continue negotiating lease and technical terms before bringing a final proposal to the commissioners.

Community relevance: County officials said the project is intended to capture locally harvested larger logs that have been exported for milling, create local jobs, and enable supply chains that could support other regional investments.