City Council to discuss revised Hermiston Enterprise Zone
By Terry Murry on Monday, March 9th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON — The Hermiston City Council will discuss a proposal to re-establish the Hermiston Enterprise Zone entirely within city limits during its upcoming meeting this evening (Monday).
Enterprise zones are part of a statewide economic development program that allow communities to offer temporary property tax exemptions to industrial investments that will create jobs and expand economic activity. The City of Hermiston has participated in the Enterprise Zone program since at least 2006, using the tool to help attract and retain major employers and encourage reinvestment in local industry. The latest Annual Report for the Greater Hermiston Enterprise Zone shows that since 2009 It has led to the creation of more then 500 new direct full-time jobs and more than $19 million per year In direct local annual payroll.
Under the proposal before City Council, the Enterprise Zone would return to its original focus within Hermiston city limits, allowing the City Council to serve as the sole sponsor and decision-making authority for the program. The proposed Enterprise Zone would be established July 1, and take the place of the existing Greater Hermiston Enterprise Zone which will sunset June 30.
Companies making new capital and workforce investments within Enterprise Zones receive temporary property tax exemptions, and depending on the size of the Investment may be subject to other requirements such as annual fee payments and guaranteed employee compensation for newly created jobs. Over time, these projects contribute to the local tax base and regional economy.
Recent major investments within the Greater Hermiston Enterprise Zone, including expansions by Lamb Weston and Amazon Web Services, represent nearly $1 billion in combined investment and are expected to generate about $10 million in revenue for local taxing districts in the coming fiscal year through negotiated annual fee payments.
Enterprise Zones are an important tool for communities competing for large industrial projects. By helping attract major employers and supporting business expansions, the program can create family-wage jobs, increase local spending, and strengthen the long-term tax base that supports schools, public safety, and infrastructure.
The discussion will give City Council members the opportunity to review the proposed resolution, ask questions, and hear public input before taking action on establishing the new Hermiston Enterprise Zone. More Information about Hermiston’s Enterprise Zone program Is available HERE.
The Hermiston City Council meets at 7 p.m. today (Monday) at Hermiston City Hall with a Hermiston Transportation Plan work session starting at 6 p.m. The full meeting agenda, staff reports, and video livestream can be viewed at www.hermiston.gov.
