Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon is declaring victory in the fight over the future home of the federal Pacific research fleet.

Politicians are gathering in Newport for a huge ceremony Thursday. The celebration comes just as NOAA prepares to finalize the paperwork needed to award Newport the base, and the jobs that come with it. Chris Lehman reports.

Work has been underway for months in Newport to prepare a site for NOAA's fleet of research ships. The federal agency needed a new home after outgrowing its Seattle digs.

Newport—on the Oregon coast—beat out other cities, including Bellingham, Washington, for the highly prized right to host the fleet.

But political leaders in Washington state objected and the project has been in limbo for months as NOAA reviewed the decision. Now, Oregon says it's finally a done deal.

Ted Kulongoski: "This is very, very big."

That's Governor Ted Kulongoski, speaking on a cell phone from Newport. With him was U-S Senator Ron Wyden. He says the groundbreaking sends a message.

Ron Wyden: "This basically says the ball game is over."

NOAA officials did not verify that they've finalized the decision, but an announcement is expected prior to the ceremony.