Great news was announced on August 4, coinciding with Coast Guard Appreciation Day. NOAA, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, selected Newport,Oregon on Yaquina Bay as the site for it’s Pacific Home Port. This event is expected to insert a minimum of $480 Million dollars into the local Oregon Coast economy over the next 20 years. Construction begins immediately on a site adjacent to a small NOAA laboratory and OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center. Port facilities will be built and improved to service 4 seagoing research vessels.
Staff of 175 will ultimatley be on board including 110 of the ship’s crews. Newport is rolling out the welcome mat for NOAA, and I especially welcome inquiries from any staff moving to the area with questions about buying property!
