Business

Anyone engaging in business within the Woodland city limits must obtain a business license. An application can be downloaded from the Forms tab. Business licenses are good for one year and are issued within seven days of the application date. The business must also be registered with the State of Washington. Click here to apply for a state license.

Fees shall be paid at the time of application to the City of Woodland, Clerk-Treasurer office.

Contact the Planning department at (360)225-7299 for information on zoning restrictions and building codes. Read more on the Business Licenses page.

www.woodlandwachamber.com

The Woodland Chamber is a non-profit organization comprised of businesses, individuals, and professionals working together to improve the business climate and quality of life in the greater Woodland area.

The Chamber meets every Tuesday from 12 – 1 p.m. at the Oak Tree Restaurant located off exit 21 in Woodland. These meetings are free and open to the public and lunch service is optional. Each meeting covers topics relevant to business and industry in Southwest Washington, and guest speakers are listed on the calendar page of our website. Please visit one of these meetings or stop the Chamber office located at 900 Goerig Street in Woodland.

www.portofwoodland.com

The Port of Woodland is located on the Columbia River near the I-5 corridor between Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon in the beautiful Lewis River valley. The Port has approximately 400 acres of both light and heavy industrial property immediately available for development.

The Port of Woodland is a public agency responsible for managing commercial/industrial properties and marine shoreline along the Columbia River. The Port’s responsibilities include promoting commerce and providing public recreation. More than 500 acres fall under its jurisdiction.

The Port's Waterfront Land Use Plan identifies opportunities for new investments, often in the form of mixed-use developments, that provide capital for reinvestment in maritime facilities and piers, public access and park improvements.

The port plays an important role in the creation of employment in Cowlitz County and Washington state and is committed to supporting the growth of jobs and tax revenues for the City of Woodland as well as providing space for new and expanding businesses on port property.

www.cowlitzedc.com

The CEDC supports business expansion and retention through strategic alliances and strong community support. Serving Cowlitz County since 1979, CEDC is a proactive, results-oriented public/private partnership working with over 230 associates to assist businesses to relocate or expand in Cowlitz County. CEDC promotes job creation and investment while maintaining the county's exceptional environment and high quality of life.

CEDC Broker Tour Brochure

Cowlitz Economic Development Council offers the ability for a client to have a single point of contact. We act as a conduit helping business navigate the challenges of expansion and relocation.

We serve both existing businesses considering expansion and those looking to relocate to the Cowlitz County region. Our core competencies include site location and acquisition, business data and demographics, and process facilitation.

• Site location 
  – Help find the right property 
  The CEDC plays an integral role in a company’s site selection process, customizing a search to meet specific criteria. Cowlitz County features affordable, industrial land and facilities to serve a wide variety of infrastructure requirements. The CEDC can locate and help you procure the property you need.
  
  
• Business Financing Assistance
  – Help finding the financing you need!
  The CEDC can help you locate the right type of financial assistance choosing from a wide variety of resources.
  
  
• Incentives
  – Help choosing and obtaining the proper incentives for your business 
  The CEDC will develop a customized package of incentives to aid in a cost effective site location. Cowlitz County offers incentives ranging from no sales tax on construction of manufacturing facilities to fast track permitting of your project. Rely on the CEDC’s years of experience to ensure your project qualifies for all available programs.
  To learn more click here.
  
  
• Permit and Process facilitation 
  – Help with building permits, infrastructure, electrical, and more 
  The CEDC helps you navigate through the unique challenges and complexities of business expansion and relocation to facilitate fast, affordable, and efficient business development.

• Demographics 
  – Support for the Due Diligence Process 
  The CEDC provides a range of customer-specific data to help businesses make educated decisions and plan for the future.
  
  
• Impact Washington
  – Help increase manufacturers’ competitiveness 
  CEDC represents Impact WA, a U.S. Department of Commerce NIST MEP affiliate, to provide Cowlitz County manufacturers with tools necessary in today's changing economic environment. We assist businesses to improve a company's competitiveness and productivity.
  
  
• Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) 
  – Market tax-exempt IRBs 
  The CEDC provides direct access to key decision makers to benefit the financial goals of a project. Eligible manufacturing companies can access tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds to finance real estate, machinery and equipment. Through revolving loan funds and an aggressive lending community, qualifying businesses can take advantage of attractive financing packages for your project.
  
  
• Policy Development
  Strategic partnerships with lawmakers and corporate leaders mean members have a hand in shaping economic policy instead of waiting for it to be 
  handed down.
  
  
• Foreign Trade Zone
  As grantee of FTZ #120 the CEDC can and will participate in your companies ability to obtain the benefits of our zone. The zone offers several advantages to companies involved in international trade and applies to all sites in 
  Cowlitz County.
  
  
• HUB Zone Certification
  The CEDC can assist your company in obtaining HUB Zone Certification. The federal establishment of Cowlitz County as a HUB Zones provides qualifying business with preferential terms when negotiating government contracts.

www.lowercolumbia.edu

Lower Columbia College is located on 26 acres at the intersection of Washington Way and 15th Avenue, in Longview, Washington.

WorkSource is a joint venture of organizations dedicated to addressing Washington State's employment needs, including:

WorkSource Partners include state and local government agencies as well as local community based organizations that provide a wide range of employment and training-related services. For more information about WorkSource, see Inside WorkSource.

WorkSource Centers provide all the information, technology and services business needs to thrive; and job seekers need to achieve successful careers. They represent a unique concept in the labor market - everything in one place. See the WorkSource Directory for office locations.

WorkSource Affiliates serve special populations and are electronically linked to the WorkSource system. All affiliates offer self service resource rooms and job search activities. See the WorkSource Directory for office locations.

WorkSource Services are delivered to customers in a variety of ways, including:

• Self-directed efforts, such as kiosks or via the Internet
• Group programs and activities, such as workshops
• One-on-one consultations
• Training programs and business consultations

Services for Job Seekers include:

• Free use of computers, copiers, phones, faxes and other career resources
• Internet access to jobs
• Job referral and placement
• Workshops on how to get and keep a job
• Information on the fastest growing jobs and wages
• Referral to training and other community services
• Access to Unemployment Insurance
• Translation services