The Quiet Township Of Hoquiam Considers The Future And Makes Big Changes

Small towns are the direct product of human decisions, millions of them, going on daily, weekly, monthly since the advent of time. Or at least the advent of the town. These decisions comprise the true nature of a town, and often towns end up far, far different than their first days as a result. Some end up becoming cities. Others end up becoming empty places. To even out these small decisions and shape the destiny of a town, the community often has to get together and make a big decision or two.

A small town with a lot on its mind is Hoquiam, Washington. The Pacific Northwest town in Grays Harbor was born a lumber town, its economy growing from the forests all around it. Today it keeps an eye on its past with a variety of events — such as the internationally recognized Loggers’ Playday as well as annual fall logging competitions and parades. Where it goes from here is the big question, though.

Hoquiam’s waterfront is at the center of its ongoing discussion of how Hoquiam will grow in the coming years. The Hoquiam River flows through the city’s downtown, emptying into Grays Harbor, all in all a lovely natural feature and abundant with potential. A well-used waterway did good things for Baltimore, and practically put San Antonio on the tourist map. Is Hoquiam ready for waterfront dining and entertainment?

The waterfront has been mostly out of use since its big days in the 1980s, but now the new interest in developing the area means Hoquiam has some decisions to make about what kind of Hoquiam it wants to become. Questions not easily answered, especially when tax money is involved.

An interesting catalyst might be in Hoquiam’s proximity to its neighboring city to the east, Aberdeen. Aberdeen is slightly larger, and in the way of many neighboring towns, there is a bit of a rivalry. These kinds of relationships often encourage clever innovation and development as the towns struggle to distinguish themselves, and so maybe Hoquiam will define itself in some marked contrast to its nearby sister.

It’s a matter of responsible decisions — balancing its connection to its past with its potential future identity, finding the right leaders to enact and carry out those decisions. For small towns, these kinds of development decisions are so important because so much of the community itself will be changed, both the identity and the infrastructure. But if you have the advantage of location, that’s a good start.

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