Port Office 360-736-3527

We are the Port of Centralia

About the Port

Centrally located between Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, the Port of Centralia has both easy highway and railroad access. The Port currently has 35 businesses in its parks providing over 2,000 jobs to the local economy and is developing a mixed-use project called Centralia Station.

Aerial view over Centralia and the farmland around it at dusk, with hills on the horizon.

The Port Commission

The Port of Centralia is a municipal corporation governed by a three-member elected commission. Since its inception in 1986, the Port has grown to comprise over 1,500 acres in two master-planned industrial campuses and one mixed-use development.

District 1

Joel Cummins

Appointed August 2026

Joel Cummins was born in Chehalis and has lived and worked in the Centralia–Chehalis area his entire life. He brings years of hands-on trade and small-business experience that give him a practical, balanced perspective on how decisions affect people and the local economy. He looks for opportunities that strengthen Lewis County today, while creating value for generations to come. He and his wife, Katie, enjoy raising their family on a small farm outside of Centralia.

Ally Pickard, Port Commissioner, District 2

District 2

Ally Pickard

Ally Pickard brings extensive experience in public sector financial management and government operations. She has more than 15 years of experience in budgeting, payroll, purchasing, and regulatory compliance, with a focus on accountability and responsible stewardship of public funds. Her professional background provides a practical understanding of how government decisions impact taxpayers and local businesses. She is committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and sustainable economic development.

Peter Lahmann, Port Commissioner, District 3

District 3, Commission President

Peter Lahmann

Peter Lahmann is a lifelong Centralia resident and graduated from both Centralia High School and Centralia College. He and his wife, Denise, have two children and have owned a small antique store downtown Centralia since 1984. Peter is currently serving on the Lewis County Historical Society Board and Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council Board.

Commission Meetings

The Port of Centralia Commission meets at 3:00 pm on the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Port’s Administrative Office, 3508 Galvin Road, Centralia, WA 98531.

Port Staff

Port staff work from the Port Administrative Office at 3508 Galvin Road. Call 360-736-3527 to reach any of them.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create economic development through our master-planned industrial parks and mixed-use developments that provide jobs and tax revenues to the local economy, while improving the quality of life for citizens of Centralia and Lewis County.

Our Vision

Our vision is to enhance and diversify the county’s economy and employment base. Our goal is to be the premier site for industrial development in Lewis County and along the I-5 corridor.

The Port represents over 20 percent of the tax base in Centralia. The tax revenue generated by Port of Centralia tenants helps fund the Centralia School District and Lewis County, as well as important social services including Riverside Fire Authority and Timberland Regional Library.

Where the parks’ taxes go

History

  1. Voters approve the formation of the Port District and the first Port Commission takes office.

  2. The Port begins purchasing land on Galvin Road for the construction of Park I.

  3. Rogers Machinery Company, Inc. becomes the Port’s first tenant.

    Yellow daffodils in front of the Rogers Machinery sign.
    Rogers Machinery, Park I’s first tenant in 1990

  4. The Port of Centralia is awarded “Port of the Year” from the Washington Public Ports Association.

  5. Four buildings are constructed for small start-up manufacturing companies in Midway Court.

  6. Washington Poster Company, Inc. announces its intentions to locate their new manufacturing plant at the port.

  7. The design for the Port of Centralia’s Administrative Office is complete and construction begins.

  8. The Port announces its plans for a new 20,000 sq. ft. facility and construction begins.

  9. Simpson Door Company announces its new plant at the Port of Centralia.

  10. Construction begins for Steelhammer Lane and the rail transload facility on Galvin Road.

  11. The Port Commission announces the formation of the new Park II development.

  12. Plastic Services & Products, LLC locates its pipe-manufacturing business to Park I.

    Two buildings are constructed on Midway Court.

  13. Port of Centralia completes transaction in Park II with development company Tarragon LLC.

    Tarragon LLC begins construction of Michaels Distribution Center, Centralia Sawmill company, Scot Industries, and Mowat Construction.

  14. Tarragon LLC’s Centralia North Corporate Park is awarded the SIOR 2006 Industrial Development of the Year and the NAIOP 2007 Industrial Development of the Year.

  15. The Port welcomes new tenants Opus NW. Sierra Pacific Industries acquires and expands the Centralia Sawmill Company plant.

  16. Blue Rhino locates to Park I. Tarragon LLC begins construction of Lowe’s and Millard Refrigerated Services, Inc (Lineage Logistics) in Park II.

  17. Sayler Custom Controls and Quick Quotes, Inc. move to Park I.

  18. Park I tenant Dick’s Brewing Company is named “Business of the Year” by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce.

  19. Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad moves its administrative headquarters to Park I.

  20. The Port announces its new mixed-use development, Centralia Station.

  21. Washington State Legislature awards $750,000 toward a Phase I stormwater facility to service Centralia Station.

  22. The Benaroya Company purchases the Opus NW site.

    Construction for the Centralia Station Phase I stormwater facility begins.

  23. The Port’s Park I tenants are joined by 4Legz LLC, Building Material Distributors, and Milton Steel Company.

  24. Permitting for Centralia Station continues and construction of the Phase II stormwater facility begins.

    Linden Comansa America LLC moves their facilities to Park I.

    The Port of Centralia celebrates its 30th anniversary.

  25. Port Commissioners approve site plan for 22-bed mental health evaluation and treatment center and Cascade Mental Health breaks ground.

    Rogers Machinery Company, Inc. expands facility with 51,000 sq.-ft. addition.

    Federal Highway Administration approves ramp to Centralia Station.

  26. STIHL Northwest announces new 100,000-sq.-ft. facility in Park II.

    STIHL Northwest's long gray distribution building with the orange STIHL name on its corner, behind a lawn and parking lot.
    STIHL Northwest in Park II

  27. The Truss Co. builds new 80,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Park II.

    WinCo Foods is announced as the future Park 3 anchor tenant.

    United Natural Foods Inc. purchases 1.1 million-sq. ft. building in Park I for $195 million.

  28. Price Container locates to 30,000-sq.-ft. facility in Park I.

    The Washington State Transportation Budget allocates an additional $1.7 million for Park 3 infrastructure projects.

  29. The Mellen Street/I-5 Connector – Stage 1 project begins in Park 3.

    A loader and a dump truck working in a cloud of dust beside stacks of culvert pipe, with tall firs behind.
    Stage 1 of the I-5/Mellen Street Connector under way, spring 2023

  30. Port of Centralia Completes WinCo Transaction as Centralia Station Infrastructure Project Approaches Completion

  31. Port of Centralia Project Receives Prestigious Engineering Award

    Port of Centralia Study Projects over $1 Billion in Regional Economic Activity by 2026

  32. Chick-fil-A Coming Soon to Centralia Station

    Port of Centralia Opportunity Zone Designation Opens Door for New Investment and Jobs

    A speaker with a microphone at a lectern during the Port's 40th anniversary reception at Dick's Brewing Company in Centralia, beside the brewery's sign and an open roll-up door.
    The Port’s 40th anniversary reception at Dick’s Brewing Company

Past Commissioners

  • Bob Thompson 1986–1997
  • Art Lehman 1986–2011
  • Gene Groshong 1986–2015
  • Don Meek 1998–2009
  • Dan Keahey 2010–2020
  • Matt Evans 2012–2017
  • Julie Shaffley 2016–2025
  • Kyle Markstrom 2020–2026