Incentives
Rural County Business & Occupation Tax Credit
A $2,000 or $4,000 credit against the B&O tax is available for each new employment position created by a qualifying manufacturer.
.09 Rural Economic Development Fund
This fund is directed by the local people of Lewis County for qualifying public facilities improvements.
CERB Fund
An excellent state program to provide loan and grant funding for public improvements needed to serve industry.
Education & Training Grants
Both Federal and State programs are available to help in recruitment and training of new workers.
Sales and Use Tax Exemption on Machinery & Equipment
For qualifying manufacturers, processors for hire, and manufacturers who perform research and development are not required to pay the sales or use tax on machinery and equipment used directly in the manufacturing or research and development process. Charges for labor and services for installing machinery and equipment are also not subject to the sales or use tax. Major distribution centers, over 200,000 sf also qualify for sales and use exemptions.
Sales and Use Tax Deferral for Manufacturers
The Rural County Sales/Use Tax Deferral Program grants a deferral of sales/use tax for manufacturing, and computer-related businesses, research and development laboratories, and commercial testing facilities (excluding light and power businesses) locating in rural counties. The sales and/or use taxes on qualified construction and equipment costs for such businesses located in these specific geographic areas are waived when all program requirements have been met and verified.
Logistics & Transportation
Highway
Lewis County is located on Interstate 5 midway between Portland and Seattle. In addition U.S. Highway 12 is one of two major east/west transportation corridors in Washington State. Lewis County is home to several transportation companies including Sorensen Trucking that has routes to: Los Angeles, Boise, Salt Lake, and Phoenix.
Portland | 85 miles | San Francisco | 721 miles |
Seattle | 85 miles | Salt Lake City | 844 miles |
Vancouver B.C. | 229 miles | Los Angeles | 1,048 miles |
Boise | 508 miles |
Deep Water Ports
Port of Tacoma, 54 miles north of Chehalis, provides containerized cargo, roll-on/roll-off, bulk, breakbulk, and heavy-lift cargoes. The Port of Olympia, 20 miles north of Chehalis provides break bulk shipping.
Other ports that may serve your needs are the:
Port of Olympia Port of Longview Port of Kalama Port of Seattle
Air
The Chehalis-Centralia Airport is a general aviation airport which can meet most corporate needs. The airport has a LPV approach allowing for operations throughout the year. A full pilot lounge is available to pilots and crew in addition to a courtesy car. Full-service jet fuel is available along with self-service AVGAS. There are 10 conventional hangers and 48 tee hangers and recently a project for a runway viewing area was completed for families to come and enjoy the air traffic.
Approximately 80 miles to the North is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and approximately 80 miles south is the Portland International Airport. Both of these airports have three main runways and should meet any international needs.
Rail
All major railroads serve Lewis County. We have connections to Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Union Pacific (UP), PSAP, and Tacoma Rail. There are rail reloading facilities in Centralia, Chehalis, as well as other additional sites.
Department of Transportation: Information
Demographics
Population | |
---|---|
Lewis County | 75,882 |
Centralia | 16,753 |
Chehalis | 7,391 |
Napavine | 1,780 |
Labor Force – 2016 |
|
Civilian Labor Force | 32,528 |
Employed | 29,871 |
Unemployed | 2,657 |
Unemployment Rate | 8.2% |
Average Annual Wages – 2015 |
|
Average | $38,361 |
Manufacturing | $46,864 |
Transportation & Warehousing | $35,036 |
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting | $32,452 |
Major Local and State Taxes – 2016 |
|
Lewis County Retail Sales Tax | 7.8% |
Retail Sales in most Incorporated areas | 8% |
State Business & Occupation Tax (most manufacturers) | $.00484 |
Tax Facts | |
---|---|
No corporate income Tax | No inventory tax |
No personal income tax | No unitary tax |
Top Private Employers | Product – # of Employees |
---|---|
Providence Hospital | Health Care – 750 |
Fred Meyer Distribution Center | Warehouse/Distribution Center – 400 |
Hampton Affiliates | Lumber Mill – 350 |
TransAlta | Energy Production – 250 |
Cardinal Glass Corporation | Glass Manufacturing – 305 |
Colleges and Universities | |
---|---|
Centralia College | 2-yr. community/technical college |
Centralia College | 4-yr. business degree |
Key Industries
Logistics
Lewis County has always been very competitive to logistics companies due to our location halfway between Seattle & Portland. Several large and prominent companies have set up their distribution centers here: Fred Meyer, Michaels, and Lowes. In addition the area is home to several trucking companies such as Lund Trucking, Sorenson Trucking, and J.J. Sauter Trucking.
Healthcare
Providence Centralia Hospital a non-profit organization which employs 800 people. Providences’ teams are trained in lymphedema therapy, neurological therapy, occupational therapy, pediatric therapy, speech therapy, wound care, oncology, and chemotherapy. In addition, their diagnostic imaging services include: breast specific gamma imaging, bone density screenings, CT-Scans, X-Rays, digital mammograms, digital radiology, fluoroscopy, MRIs, nuclear medical exams, and ultrasound.
Wood Products
Lewis County is located in the wood basket and is one of the largest timber producing counties in the Northwest. Our largest wood manufacturers are Cascade Hardwoods, Northwest Hardwoods, and Hardel Mutual Plywood. Our wood products include douglas fir, hemlock, maple, and alder.
Food Processing
Lewis County is home to major food processing companies as well as niche agricultural farms. National Frozen Foods pioneered the process to freeze and store vegetables in the 1920s. Today they run a highly automated system using robotics to process and package food. Callisons Inc. is the largest mint oil processor in the world with products in oral care, confectionaries, and gum. Darigold produces dry milks and supplies them throughout the world.
Glass, Plastics, Chemicals
Two major highways and four major railroads make us a competitive location for manufacturing. We have companies that produce float glass, tempered glass (for solar panels), plastic piping, netting, and specialized composites. In addition, Lewis County is home to companies that produce chemicals for power plant operations as well as companies that recycle carbon fiber and soda ash.
Telecommunications
We have a major north-south fiber link with multiple fiber lines that are available for access on a wholesale level. We are also served by various ISP’s and wireless carriers. Toledo Tel is a local ISP that offers phone and data services. We have a number of computer and technology based companies that have found they can operate competitively in our area.
Energy
Lewis County is home to many large energy players in Washington State. TransAlta operates a coal plant north of Centralia. Chehalis Power, a division of PacifiCorp, operates a natural gas plant in Chehalis. Tacoma Power provides electricity to Tacoma through its hydro plant in our county. The Lewis County PUD operates a hydro plant and has low rates compared to neighboring counties. BPA Transmission has a major line and regional substation running through Lewis County.
Development Partners
Port of Chehalis
Since its formation in 1986, it has been the Port’s goal to encourage economic development and job creation. The port accomplishes this through developing construction ready industrial sites and buildings that are available for immediate occupancy by clients.
Port of Chehalis: Information
Port of Centralia
The Port of Centralia is a municipal corporation governed by a 3-member elected commission. Since its inception in 1986, the Port has grown to comprise over 1,100 acres in 2 master-planned industrial campuses. The Port currently has 30 businesses in its parks providing over 800 jobs to the local economy.
Port of Centralia: Information
Industrial Park at TransAlta
The Industrial Park at TransAlta-USA (IPAT) is a 4,400 acre industrial park focused on serving larger tenants and those that require access to major utility services. IPAT was originally a coal mine until 2006 when, in partnership with local and state governments, the industrial park was formed.
Industrial Park at TransAlta: Information