Whitman County- Today, at a ribbon cutting at the Port of Wilma, the Port of Whitman County welcomed its newest tenant, AGPRO Marketing & Manufacturing, Inc. (AGPRO). At the event, AGPRO’s receipt of a $150,000 Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grant to fund ongoing expansion efforts at their new facility was announced.

Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grant

As part of its efforts, AGPRO, with Port assistance, applied for the Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grant through the Washington State Department of Commerce. The program aims to increase manufacturing, research, and development jobs in Washington state. The grant will fund AGPRO’s expansion project at its new facility at the Port’s Wilma site. Expansion efforts include finishing and powder coating buildout, workflow improvements, expanded electrical capacity, and additional infrastructure to facilitate the planned manufacturing growth. The expansion is expected to support the creation of five to eight full-time jobs over the next three years.

“AGPRO Marketing & Manufacturing, Inc. sincerely thanks the Washington State Department of Commerce for this grant and for the confidence placed in our company,” said Mercia Neace, AGPRO Owner and Vice President. “This funding will help us expand our manufacturing capacity, invest in our employees, and continue providing quality products and service to our customers throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We are grateful for this opportunity and for the Department of Commerce’s support of AGPRO’s future and Washington manufacturing.”

Relocating to Washington State

Founded in 1987, AGPRO based its operations in Lewiston, Idaho until February 2026 when it purchased its manufacturing facility at the Port of Wilma across the river from Clarkston, Washington. AGPRO outgrew its Lewiston facility and heard about the vacancy at the Port of Wilma from one of their customers. The new space allows the company to more effectively manufacture its product and provides a large workplace for the growing business.

“The tenants at the Port of Wilma are heavy-hitting contributors to the Whitman County economy,” Port Commission President Karl Webber said. “From Bennett Lumber to Columbia Grain International, these companies create jobs, generate tax revenue, and drive economic growth. The Port is proud to welcome AGPRO Marketing & Manufacturing to the Port of Wilma. We look forward to their expansion and growth at their new facility.”

AGPRO is an agricultural equipment manufacturer that designs, manufactures, assembles, and services conservation drills, deep-furrow drills, and related agricultural equipment used primarily in dryland farming and direct-seed operations. The company serves farmers across the Western United States including Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California, Wyoming, and Alaska. AGPRO equipment is heavily utilized in wheat, garbanzo, pea, lentil, and canola production.

A Vibrant On-Water Property

With eighteen tenants on 280 acres of developed land, the Port of Wilma is the Port’s largest and busiest on-water property. The Port first bought land to develop Wilma in 1969 and continued to purchase additional acreage in the 1970s. Served by rail, barge, and truck routes, the Port of Wilma is a critical access point to local, national, and international markets. Businesses sited at the Port of Wilma are AAA Tree Service, Ardent Mills, AGPRO Marketing & Manufacturing, the McGregor Company, CHS Primeland, Bennett Lumber, Leading Edge Aviation, Quality Concrete Products, Knife River Corporation, Clearwater Fiber, Clearwater Tech, Ferrellgas, LC Lawn & Landscape, Urban Wood Recyclers, Tidewater, Clearwater Propane, the O-Ring Store, and Columbia Grain International. The Port of Wilma got its moniker from a young girl named Wilma who used to wave at the trains as they traveled through the site.

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About the Port of Whitman County

The Port of Whitman County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Whitman County through industrial real estate development, preservation of multi-modal transportation, facilitation of economic development and provision of on-water recreational opportunities. For more information about Port properties and ongoing projects, visit the Port website, www.portwhitman.com.