FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2025

COOS BAY, OR — The Oregon Legislature has approved a landmark $100 million investment in the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP), a transformative public-private project that will create a state-of-the-art container terminal in the Port of Coos Bay. This infusion of state support continues an unprecedented wave of momentum for Oregon’s South Coast — a region that has long endured disinvestment but now stands at the forefront of a new era in global trade, job creation, and economic revitalization.

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 U.S. Department of Transportation’s INFRA, CRISI and RCE grant programs.

“This project reflects the kind of bold, future-focused investment that Oregon needs,” said Melissa Cribbins, Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port project. “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.”

The economic impact is substantial. The PCIP is expected to generate over 2,600 construction jobs, 2,500 permanent direct jobs, and as many as 8,000 total jobs across construction, logistics, warehousing, and small business sectors once operational. These are family-wage, benefit-bearing jobs — the kind that provide careers, not just paychecks.

“This project is about building something real and lasting — not just for the region, but for the working people of Oregon,” said Chad Meyer, CEO at NorthPoint Development “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.”

With bipartisan backing from the Oregon Coastal Caucus and state and federal leaders across the aisle, the PCIP has emerged as a top infrastructure priority for Southwest Oregon. Legislators 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.

The PCIP will be the first new container terminal developed on the U.S. West Coast in decades, contributing to increased shipping capacity and offering an additional option for regional and international trade. The project is expected to support a range of industries, including agriculture in the Willamette Valley, manufacturing in the Columbia Gorge, and export operations throughout the western United States.