Industrial Comes Calling to Canby, OR

CANBY, OR—Canby has one of the largest supplies of large vacant industrial sites in the Portland metro area, with a variety of parcel locations and sizes. The city also has developable commercial land along Highway 99E (with daily traffic volumes of 24,900) and in the downtown core, according to its economic development group.

As a result, Canby will soon become home to Columbia Distributing’s new Portland metro area warehouse. The approximately 530,000-square-foot facility located at SE 1st Ave. and S. Walnut in Canby is set for completion in fall 2020, according to Columbia, along with joint venture partners Meritage and Trammell Crow Company.

“In addition to the optimal space and routing efficiencies Canby offers, we’re so impressed with the community, the potential partnership opportunities and the promise for creating great local jobs,” said Chris Steffanci, president and CEO at Columbia Distributing. “We see no less than 200 positions working out of this location and we’re eager to fill any openings before we relocate next fall.”

The facility will consolidate the beverage distributor’s three current locations on Portland’s Swan Island, NW Yeon Avenue and NW Guam Street. The Canby site is spread out over 43 acres.

“We look forward to advancing Columbia’s strategic growth objectives and driving further economic growth to the city of Canby,” adds Jared Halperin, a managing director at Meritage who leads the firm’s real estate investment strategy.

Tualatin-based Perlo Construction has been selected as the general contractor. Portland-based VLMK Engineering + Design provided the project design and permitting services.

“Columbia Distributing and Trammell Crow Company both have long histories of serving their customers well and we think this purpose-driven development will help continue those traditions,” says Steve Sieber, principal with Trammell Crow Company’s Portland office.

Allen Patterson, senior vice president of Capacity Commercial Group, and Terry Tolls of T.N. Tolls Company represented Trammell Crow Company and the sellers in the land sale.

“The new Canby facility will use current technical applications and systems which are designed to optimize delivery routes. They simultaneously save money and minimize carbon impact to the environment,” Lindsi Taylor, corporate communications director, Columbia Distributing, tells GlobeSt.com. “The operation will also use next generation voice-picking technology.”

Canby is a growing community of more than 16,000 residents. It is located 25 miles south of Portland in the Willamette Valley. The community is accessible via Interstate 5, Highway 99E and Interstate 205.

Canby’s location within the Portland metro region means that more than 213,000 people live within a 10-mile radius, with a labor force of more than 166,000 workers.

Because of its accessibility, pro-business climate and small town vibe, Canby is attractive to regional and international businesses. And Canby’s locally owned and managed utilities offer competitive rates, responsive service and ample capacity.

Canby High School’s career and technology education focus builds local workforce skills in manufacturing, construction, marketing, accounting, agriculture, graphic design and early childhood education. The nearby Oregon Tech university campus offers 10 degree programs focusing on science, technology, engineering, manufacturing and software. It partners with the high school to enhance STEM proficiency and certificate and degree programs.

“Columbia’s commitment to local job creation and community engagement makes them an ideal business to add to our robust industrial park,” says Jamie Stickel, Canby’s economic development director.