New commodities are expected to include new dry bulks and more agricultural products moving in bulk lots. Ship and barge repair yards, available at several ports, include the West Coast's largest floating dry dock at Portland. An effective air cargo network, with the Portland International Airport at its hub, is formed by airports throughout the region. Extensive capital investments already have been made on the System to take advantage of its geographic location. Examples include special facilities built to export feed grains to the Orient from the Midwest and distribution centers established to process and ship foreign motor vehicles to 27 US states.
Products manufactured in the region enjoy ready access to domestic and world markets.
Ample pure water and low-cost power have attracted numerous industries, particularly aluminum and paper producers and silicon chip manufacturers. The region is the number one source of wheat for Asian nations. Literally hundreds of large agricultural and forest processors operate plants here. The primary metropolis of the region is the market formed by the Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington metro areas, with a population of 1.2 million. This area long has been the foremost distribution center in the Pacific Northwest for products and services to consumer, commercial, and industrial markets.