Port Projects

Technology Transfer & Commercialization Scaling Facility

The Port plans to construct, own and operate a Technology Transfer and Commercialization Scaling Facility (known as a scaling facility) that advances the transfer of technology from laboratory scale to commercial scale. The project supports the creation of businesses and jobs in Whitman County that are at the leading edge of biological engineering in areas such as bioproducts, biofuels, and hydrogen technology. The Port is also developing long-term strategies to help grow and retain these businesses and jobs.

Moving Ideas From Lab to Launch

The facility will be purpose-built to support pilot-scale testing. Pilot-scale testing is a key step between validating a concept in a lab and advancing it to commercial production. This phase is sometimes called the “commercialization valley of death” because many promising ideas stall out due to a lack of scaling support. Testing at this scale often requires more space than a lab can offer, but the concept is not yet sufficiently proven to attract investors.

The Technological readiness level (TRL) scale runs 1-9, with 9 being fully mature technology. The scaling facility will focus on projects at TRL 5 – TRL 7. In this window, technology is validated in a relevant environment, demonstrated via a prototype in a simulated environment, and then modeled or demonstrated in an operational environment. (Source: DOE. 2022. “Technology-to-Market.” U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/technology-market)

DEMONSTRATED NEED IN THE PALOUSE

The Port received WA Department of Commerce funding to perform a feasibility study that included discussions with 10 university faculty and four private-sector firms whose research spans several areas, from bioproducts to hydrogen research. They identified the lack of a scaling facility as a hurdle for lab-tested technology, even for those projects that have received preliminary interest from private investors. The Port already has one startup that would use the facility if it existed today to commercialize a clean-hydrogen electrolyzer technology.

The Port will market the scaling facility to university researchers and private companies that are already in or may want to bring their research to the Palouse to take advantage of the Pullman technology cluster and two land grant universities. This approach will help advance the Port's economic development mission and foster the financial sustainability of the project.

PROJECT LOCATION AND FUNDING

The scaling facility will be located at the Port's Pullman Industrial Park. The Port owns the land and the site is shovel-ready with access to all utilities. The project is consistent with current zoning and industrial park uses. The Port has engaged with the City of Pullman as well as with other businesses in and around the industrial park.

The Port estimates the project will cost approximately $9 million to $10 million. The Port plans to fund the project through a combination of Port funds and a variety of state and federal funding sources.

The scaling facility will be located at the Port's Pullman Industrial Park located on the north end of Pullman.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this an appropriate use of property at Pullman Industrial Park? Are there conflicts with neighboring uses/properties?

Pullman Industrial Park is zoned for industrial uses, which is consistent with the proposed technology transfer and commercilization facility. The facility would also be consistent with other tech businesses already at Pullman Industrial Park.

Why do we need this? Are there similar facilities in Whitman County already?

Currently there are no facilities that are equipped with the proposed building features including the high bays, testing equipment, clear span areas, waste stream features, including temporary containment, emissions and effluent treatment systems, and storage areas for reactants and products.
Our location and proximity to research institutions means there is a demand for flexible facilities where small technology businesses can affordably scale up, prove their viability, and get footing in the market.
This, in turn, creates jobs, provides tax revenue for public infrastructure and services, and supports quality of life in our communities.
This is the kind of project for which the Port of Whitman and ports in Washington state were formed to create: a publicly owned facility that supports workers, businesses, and economic vitality on a local and regional basis.

How does this help Pullman and Whitman County?

The proposed scaling facility helps us support local people who are working to build a business here in our communities. It also helps us retain local talent: They don’t have to go elsewhere to find the resources they need and hire the people they need. They are doing that here in Whitman County.
The ripple effect is economic vitality. These businesses are buying products and services here, paying people who live here a wage/salary, and in turn those people are spending their dollars on homes, goods, services and more – here in Whitman County.
The proposed scaling facility could also complement our regional research institutions and other local businesses that have synergies with the kinds of companies that would use the facility.

Why will this facility be successful?

The feasibility study demonstrated need for and interest in this kind of facility from local and regional research institutions and businesses we talked with.
The Port of Whitman County has a track record of successfully developing and maintaining public assets that grow: PIP, the Port of Whitman Business Air Center, Boyer Park and Marina, and the ports of Almota, Central Ferry, and Wilma.

How will it be funded?

Like many of the projects the port develops, the proposed scaling facility will likely be funded through a mix of state and federal grants, leveraged with port funds to meet match requirements.
We are developing a funding approach and will share more information as this progresses.

Does the Port of Whitman have the expertise it needs to develop this facility?

We are currently in the conceptual phase. As we further research and develop this project, we’ll have a more refined understanding of resource needs and can match investment to those needs.
We are developing a funding approach and will share more information as this progresses.
The proposed scaling facility is no different than any other public asset in which we invest: We assess, plan, and implement using the resources necessary while continuing to be good stewards of public dollars.

How will the Port ensure the facility is safe?

Safety is always our number one priority. Any business located at the scaling facility must meet requirements set forth by regulatory agencies and the City of Pullman for their operations.

What kinds of businesses would this attract?

The kinds of businesses we’d anticipate attracting include start-ups stemming from research out of regional universities, bioengineering companies, advanced manufacturing and clean tech.