The Oregon Legislature recently approved an investment of $100 million in the Pacific Coastal Intermodal Port (PCIP) to create a state-of-the-art container terminal in the Port of Coos Bay. This funding comes amid unprecedented state support for Oregon’s South Coast – a US region that has long endured disinvestment but now stands at the forefront of a new era in global trade and job creation.
The Port of Coos Bay, in a press release, stated that the PCIP project will establish a modern, ship-to-rail container terminal that connects southwest Oregon to international markets, and enables cargo to travel directly via the Coos Bay Rail Line (CBRL) to Midwest markets via the Union Pacific Railroad connection in Eugene. This strategic public-private partnership is already supported by $58 million in federal funding through the US Department of Transportation’s INFRA, CRISI and RCE grant programs.
Melissa Cribbins, Executive Director of the PCIP project, said the initiative reflects the kind of bold, future-focused investment that Oregon needs. “For too long, rural communities like those on the South Coast have been left behind. This project gives us a path forward – one grounded in good jobs, sustainable freight infrastructure, and long-term community stability.”
Economic Impact
The project’s economic impact will be substantial. It is expected to generate over 2,600 construction jobs, 2,500 permanent direct jobs, and as many as 8,000 total jobs (family-wage, benefit-bearing jobs: the kind that provides careers) across construction, logistics, warehousing, and small business sectors once operational.
Chad Meyer, CEO at NorthPoint Development, said the project is about building something real and lasting, not just for the region, but for the working people of Oregon. “It reflects the power of public-private collaboration, and we’re grateful for the confidence the Legislature has placed in us. Together, we’re bringing modern logistics capacity to the South Coast in a way that benefits the entire country.”
Top Infrastructure Priority
The Port of Coos Bay stated that the PCIP, with bipartisan backing from the Oregon Coastal Caucus and state and federal leaders across the state, has emerged as a top infrastructure priority for Southwest Oregon. Legislatures have emphasized the project’s potential to generate more than $59 million in annual income tax revenue for the state, funding essential services like schools, roads, libraries, and public safety.
Furthermore, the PCIP will be the first new container terminal developed on the US West Coast in decades. It will lead to increased shipping capacity and offer additional options for regional and international trade. The project will also support a range of industries, including agriculture in the Willamette Valley, manufacturing in the Columbia Gorge, and export operations throughout the western United States.
