PCIP Myth Busting
There’s a lot of information — and misinformation — about the PCIP. This page highlights some of the most common myths we hear and provides factual, up-to-date information based on current project design, funding and permitting information.
Myth: There won’t be any long-term jobs.
Fact: Construction of the terminal, channel modification and rail line upgrades are expected to create nearly 2,500 temporary construction jobs. Once operational, the terminal and railroad are expected to result in employment of over 8,000 workers directly and indirectly between Coos Bay and Eugene.
Myth: Our community and infrastructure can’t handle a project that size.
Fact: With four ship calls a week, the number of vessels each year in the Coos Bay harbor as a result of the PCIP will still be far fewer than occurred at the peak of the timber boom in the 1970s. At that time Coos Bay was the Number 1 wood products exporter in the world.
Myth: Local people won’t be hired to work on the terminal.
Fact: PCIP leaders are working with local workforce, community college and educational professionals to set up programming that will help people who live here get the training they need to obtain good-paying union jobs with benefits working in various aspects of the terminal.
Myth: Industrial development will lower property values for homeowners.
Fact: PCIP will raise the value of properties in our community by creating demand. Having a vibrant economy is good for home values in all cases.
Myth: Channel modifications will destroy the bay.
Fact: The Coos Bay channel is a federally and state designated industrial waterway. It is one of a small handful set aside for that purpose in the state. The rest are protected. In the last 100 years the channel has been dredged and modified upwards of seven times. This is not entirely new to the area. Any effects on habitat will be mitigated beyond the minimum requirements of the state and federal government.
Myth: PCIP will conflict with the fishing industry.
Fact: Deepening and more consistent maintenance of the Coos Bay bar will create safer bar crossing conditions for fishing boats. There will not be enough ships coming in and out each week to present any meaningful conflicts with the fishing fleet.
Myth: This is an out-of-town corporation that doesn’t care about us or our community.
Fact: Local Oregonians have ownership stake in the project and are working to make sure it does right by the community, while resurging our community into the economic powerhouse it once was.
Myth: Traffic on Highway 38 and Highway 101 will be clogged with trucks because of this project.
Fact: PCIP is a 100-percent ship-to-rail terminal, which means it won’t put any additional trucks on the road.
Myth: The increased rail traffic will kill downtown Reedsport.
Fact: PCIP has secured a planning grant with the City of Reedsport and ODOT for planning a grade separation to ensure traffic continues to flow through downtown Reedsport when trains are coming through.
Myth: The project will be bad for our community.
Fact: In addition to creating well-paying job opportunities for local residents, it will boost property and income taxes locally. This benefits local governments – the county currently is facing a $4 million deficit – school districts and other services that currently are underfunded. Bay Area Hospital – under the current payor mix – is on the brink of insolvency. We need good-paying jobs and the associated private pay health insurance funding in the hospital’s funding formula to help restore solvency.
Myth: PCIP will have a negative impact on our tourism industry.
Fact: Tourism currently is what keeps many of our local businesses – especially restaurants – running. With a year-round population of workers making good wages, there will be more small business and restaurant expansion that will benefit tourists. It will help local small businesses. There still will be numerous recreational opportunities in our area and the natural beauty that we all enjoy will remain intact.
Myth: There is no market for shipping to Coos Bay, and the project won’t pencil out.
Fact: The Port of Coos Bay will help build additional shipping opportunities to bring products into the country, while exporting our own goods to Asian markets. Asian shipping companies are excited about the opportunity. This project is modeled after the Prince Rupert Sound terminal in Canada, and there is plenty of room for another shipping opportunity.
Myth: There is no cohesive plan or funding for this project.
Fact: Permitting and planning for terminal development, channel modification and rail infrastructure upgrades are rolling simultaneously. If the rail is not upgraded, there is no project and, thus, no dredging or terminal construction. There are plans, and a specific sequence, for permitting to happen on the rail and channel/port development in tandem. All the pieces must be in place to proceed with any of the construction. Grants and private investment are funding the permitting and study process, in coordination with the state and federal governments. A low-interest loan has been approved to pay for the rail line and the terminal will be built with private money. The project is working to secure funds for channel dredging and modification.
Myth: This is just another boondoggle like we’ve seen over and over again on the South Coast. It won’t actually happen.
Fact: Unlike the projects over the past 40 years, this project meets a significant national need to build supply chain capacity. Increased shipping capacity is a need that has been identified by state, federal and shipping industry officials. There is unprecedented political, bureaucratic and community support the likes of which we have not seen for any other project in recent history. This project is best positioned for success compared to other large scale infrastructure initiatives. Thousands of long-term direct jobs and ancillary career tracks will be generated by the PCIP. These opportunities will last in perpetuity, paying great wages and providing exceptional benefits and economic uplift for the entire region.