Longview's manufacturing base includes industries such as paper, wood, paint, aluminum and food processing. The timber products sector is a major economic asset. Some of the major manufacturing employers are Weyerhaeuser, Longview Fibre Paper & Packaging Inc., NORPAC, Solvay Chemicals, Pacific Lamination and Equa-Chlor.
Some of the smaller manufacturing operations are Northwest Hardwoods, Epson Toyocom, Peterson Manufacturing, Caffall, Simpson Timber Company, Specialty Minerals and JM Huber. In addition, educational services and healthcare are major economic sectors.
The significant employment segments in Longview, Washington include paper, healthcare, manufacturing, construction; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; metal and metal products, educational services, accommodation and food services, and professional, scientific and technical services.
Management, professional and related occupations comprise about 22% of the labor force. About 21% of the labor force consists of sales and office workers. Approximately 19% of the workers are employed in production, transportation and material moving jobs.
The largest employers in Longview, Washington:
- PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center
- Weyerhaeuser
- Longview Fibre Company
- Longview School District
- Kelso School District
- Foster Farms
- Lower Columbia College
- J.H. Kelly
- Safeway
- Cowlitz County
- City of Longview
- NORPAC
- Steelscape
- Walmart
- Fred Meyer
- Kaiser Permanente
- Community Home Health and Hospice
- RSG Forest Products
- PNE Corporation
- Koelsch Senior Communities
- Emerald Kalamada Chemicals
In Longview, Washington there are a number of occupations that are mostly filled by those with college degrees including registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives; coaches and scouts; human resources, training and labor relations specialists; social and human service assistants, and financial managers.
Facts regarding Longview, Washington: Cost of living index in 2008: 87.0 (national average: 100). Average salary in 2009: $33,000. Adult population holding a bachelor's degree or better: 15%.
Longview businesses have access to useful organizations including:
- Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce
- Cowlitz Economic Development Council
- Washington Economic Development Association
- Washington State Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development
- Washington Manufacturing Services
- Small Business Administration - Washington
The Daily News Online offers details about local business and industry.