The Hillsboro Hops, a High-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have secured their future in Oregon thanks to a $15 million lifeline from the state's legislature. With just days to spare before a Major League Baseball-imposed deadline, the Oregon Legislature approved the funding, which will go towards a new stadium to be built adjacent to their current home at Ron Tonkin Field.
According to BizJournals, this move came on the heels of MLB's requirements for the Hops to upgrade their facilities, or face potential relocation. The $120 million project is expected to be a boon for the local economy, creating close to 1,000 full-time jobs during construction, and nearly 400 annual full-time jobs once operational. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that last session, the $25 million requested by the team was turned down, so the ask was lowered to $15 million this time around.
In a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) press release, K.L. Wombacher of the Hops expressed gratitude for the state's support saying, "We are humbled by your support, and we can’t wait to kick off another season together on April 5 and celebrate our shared future." The funding is seen as the last piece in a puzzle that included $82 million in private investments and contributions from Hillsboro and Washington County from hotel revenues.
Hillsboro Mayor, Steve Callaway praised the project's community benefits, "The city of Hillsboro is excited to see the project moving forward and for the benefits the new ballpark will bring into our community for generations." An ECONorthwest study cited by BizJournals highlights the positive economic impact a new stadium could bring, to the tune of $192 million in local economic output and $3 million in annual state and local taxes.
The final approval came with little room for delay, had the Legislature not decided to allocate the Hops $15 million, the team could have faced relocation or dissolution, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. "We would have to move to a city where a facility could be built or we would have to sell the team," Wombacher explained. With risks ever-present in the small-margin industry of minor league baseball, the commitment from various stakeholders may signal a brighter, more stable future for the team and its surrounding community.
