Served by Interstate 5 and Burlington Northern Santa Fe main line, the Port focused on developing industrial parks within the City of Woodland in the 1970s which continues today. The Port formed the Industrial Development District as a mechanism provided by the State of Washington, to spur additional financing opportunities to businesses. Original purchases along Pekin Road provided opportunity for redevelopment and sale of port property including to Columbia River Carbonates.

In the 1980s, the Port purchased a significant land holding from the Rose Growers Bulb Farm for the Schurman Way Industrial Park. A partnership between Cowlitz county, Cowlitz Economic Development Council, private developers and the Port spurred infrastructure including the Schurman Way Spur, still in operation today and dual served by Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific. The 1980s also included the advancement of serving Austin Point for rail with the acquisition of rail access property. The Port continues that effort currently with the potential purchase of Kuhnis road property owned by the Department of Natural Resources. This property would provide rail access for prospective tenants to Austin Point.

In the 1990s, a seven-acre parcel along Down River Drive was developed for light industrial and manufacturing businesses with constructed buildings. The six-building park is one of the only complexes of set buildings the Port built for building leases.

Planning for future industrial development parks focused on Guild Road at the end of 1990s and into early 2000s. the Port purchased additional property along Guild Road for future industrial parks, now referred to as Rose Way Industrial Park and Centennial Industrial Park. Rose Way will include six Port owned buildings for lease. Centennial will include 8 lots ranging in lot sizes for industrial lease, lease to purchase, or purchase sale.