Wendy Larimer

The Port of Toledo in Oregon was established in 1910 to support the movement of wood products from the state’s booming lumber industry. Through the years, the port transitioned from lumber but retained its economic importance with tenants that manufacture products for sale nationally and internationally, a large seafood processing operation and various marine services. Spanning the cities of Toledo and Siletz, the port now encompasses 443 square miles.

When you have the busiest fuel dock on the water, efficient storage and dispensing take priority, but any improvements open the door to environmental regulations that often become a marina owner’s worst nightmare. However, for Susan Boggs, owner of Reel Surprise Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama, the results from a complete overhaul of the fueling system were well worth the effort.

For nearly 50 years, the Beaufort Town Docks in Beaufort, North Carolina, were leased to a single party. Haywood Weeks operated the docks as a private, for-profit enterprise, catering to transients at first, and then adding commercial activities, including ferry services. In 2024, Weeks let the town know he was ready to retire. The Beaufort Board of Commissioners and the community were left to reevaluate their docks and form a long-term vision for what they could and should be.