Aberdeen, WA - The Port of Grays Harbor's Coastal Innovation Zone has netted another innovative business. ”What Reed Composite Solutions will be focusing on, from a very general perspective, is composite fabrication and manufacturing," Ryan Reed explained to Port Commissioners yesterday the new business will build composites for the defense, aerospace, and automotive industries right next door to Wishkah River Distillery off the Port Industrial Road. "The Coastal Innovation Zone and the Innovation Partnership Zone in general - and really the port as an operating group, were a major factor that drew us to Grays Harbor. It really sets us up for success." Reed said the new company has an aggressive expansion plan that will begin with about 15 employees in July, and offer 30 to 50 positions within three years. Leonard Barnes, Deputy Executive Director of the Port said "The jobs we're talking about are pretty high-end jobs, they can go anywhere from $40-thousand, to over $100-thousand a year." The 13,000 square foot lease approved yesterday starts with office space, then expands to warehouse space, and will eventually share the port's laboratory.
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Grays Harbor Innovation Partnership ZoneDesignated by Washington Governor Chris Gregoire in 2007, the Grays Harbor Innovation Partnership Zone (GHIPZ) brings private industry and public services together to encourage research, development and commercialization of new products and incubation of small business start-ups to strengthen and grow Washington's coastal economy. The geographic area of the GHIPZ includes the marine industrial properties of the Port of Grays Harbor in the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam, and the properties of the Satsop Business Park in Elma. Rounding out the public partnership are the business support and workforce development services of the regional chamber of commerce and economic development council - Greater Grays Harbor, Inc, Grays Harbor College, the Regional Education and Training Center at Satsop (RETC) and the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council. The GHIPZ also partners with those outside the region to bring additional expertise and resources to our innovation efforts. 
The first project developed by the GHIPZ is the Coastal Innovation Zone, a research, development and business incubation facility located at the Port of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen. This 20,000 sq. ft. facility offers office space, collaboration facilities, shared laboratory space and warehouse/manufacturing space for research and development efforts and small business start-ups. Research, Development & Commercialization of Sustainable Products
Encouraging Industrial SymbiosisGrays Harbor's unique approach to innovation starts with the private sector. Partnering with Paneltech Products, Inc. a manufacturer of "green" phenolic composites, and Imperium Grays Harbor -- our Nation's largest biodiesel production facility, the GHIPZ identified the need for research and development space. By sharing laboratory space and providing room for collaboration on uses of industrial by-products and processes, the GHIPZ was positioning regional manufacturers to benefit from industrial symbiosis ~ the environment to develop value added products and reduce costs while improving the environment. Research & DevelopmentDeveloping new products and processes is the key to economic success for today's global businesses. Companies interested in leasing space in the R&D center should contact the Port of Grays Harbor for more information on the space available. Small Business Incubation
Providing the Foundation for Successful GrowthProviding entrepreneurs with the resources and space to develop their business concept can be the difference between success or failure of the business. The GHIPZ recognizes the importance of encouraging new business development in a well planned, well supported approach. With assistance from our partners at the GH College Small Business Development Center, the GHIPZ has developed an application process and support program for start-ups. Business IncubatorEntrepreneurs interested in learning more about becoming a tenant of the small business incubator at the CIZ should contact the Port of Grays Harbor for application and lease information.
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