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Commissioners designate West Umatilla County Enterprise Zone at former Army Depot
Summary
The board approved an order to designate a long‑term rural enterprise zone on the former Umatilla Army Depot and set a 15% school support fee after staff outlined coordination with taxing districts and the Port of Umatilla.
The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 5 to designate the West Umatilla County Enterprise Zone on a tract that includes the former Umatilla Army Depot. Bob Walter, the county’s community development director, said the action is the final local step after outreach to taxing districts and coordination with Hermiston School District and the Port of Umatilla.
Walter told commissioners the county and partners had agreed on a 15% school support fee for land inside the zone and described the designation as the last required local authorization before the Port acts on Aug. 11. “This is really the last step in the process to designate the zone,” Walter said. Commissioner (speaker 2) moved to adopt order BCC 2026‑039; the motion passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: the enterprise‑zone designation is intended to encourage investment and redevelopment of the former depot property by offering tax incentives within a designated area, while the school support fee provides a revenue share for impacted school districts. The board’s action advances local permitting and positions the Port of Umatilla to take parallel action at its meeting next week.
