Columbia Development Authority-CDA

12/16/2025

Progress! New industrial road at the Columbia Development Authority.

10/21/2025

The CDA is currently hosting an Open House at Igloo 914!! Head to the CDA property if you are interested in renting one of our Igloos for storage!

01/06/2025

We are hiring for an administrative assistant! If you have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and 2-5 years of relevant experience, this could be the perfect role for you!

Key Responsibilities
Assisting with financial documentation and reporting.
Assisting with grant management and reporting.
Organizing board meetings and developing meeting agendas.

Requirements
2-5 years of relevant experience.
Strong administrative and communication skills.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Proficiency in financial tasks and reporting systems.

Please email [email protected] for more information.

03/22/2024

03/22/2024

Momentous Day at the Columbia Development Authority property paying tribute to those who lost their lives in an igloo explosion during WWII 1944. - In 1944, a crew of six civilians were loading 500-lb. bombs into an igloo when it exploded.
- The igloo already containing 264 bombs created a blast heard 30 miles away and broke windows up to 20 miles away.
- The exact cause of the explosion was never determined.
- All six civilians who lost their lives that day were:
i. Kenneth L. Fraser, Foreman
ii. Lance Stultz, Lift Truck Operator
iii. William A. Sanders, Munitions Handler
iv. Harry D. Sever, Munitions Handler
v. Hiram Cook, Truck Driver
vi. Alice M. Wolgamott, Junior Laborer
- Igloo construction design worked as the explosion went up rather than out and surrounding igloos were not damaged
- Steel reinforced concrete walls vary from feet at base to 1 foot at the top, then covered by 2 feet of earth
- The CDA will be preserving the explosion site as a memorial in honor of those who lost their lives.
- The Oregon Army National Guard Color Guard will now present the posting of colors.

03/18/2024

12/09/2023

I just learned of the passing of The Honorable John Wenhotz, retired Morrow County Commissioner. My friend made a positive difference for so many people in Irrigon, Morrow County and the State of Oregon. An Icon!

07/14/2023

Yesterday's Ribbon Cutting Celebration was a momentous occasion recognizing the nearly 30 years of dedication and collaboration it took to transfer 9,511.37 acres of former Umatilla Chemical Depot property to the Columbia Development Authority (CDA). This event would not have been possible without our five partners Port of Umatilla, Port of Morrow, Umatilla County, Morrow County, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

The event featured a Tribal Blessing from CTUIR, comments from CDA Chairman Kim Puzey, CDA Executive Director Greg Smith, Mayor Dave Drotzmann, Office Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9 BRAC Branch, Jim Arnold, Michele Lanigan, and Oregon Military Department Deputy Director of Installations, Jim Arnold.

A special thank you to Paradise Rose Chuckwagon for providing a delicious lunch, the Oregon Military Department for allowing us to use your facilities, and the Umatilla County Fire District #1 for taking such amazing photos.

06/29/2023

Join us on Wednesday, July 12th, at 10:00 am for our Ribbon Cutting Celebration at the Army Depot.

Directly following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be a barbeque catered by Paradise Rose Chuckwagon, cookies from Sugar Shack, and a tour of the CDA's new industrial site.

This event is open to every member of the community. We hope to see you there!