HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Hillsboro Hops are moving closer to securing funding for a new ballpark — just $15 million away.
Management is hopeful the state will be the source of the funding. Recently, nine legislators signed a coalition letter, urging support for the Hops and Eugene Emeralds, another minor league baseball team. The letter said that Oregon could lose over $100 million in personal income tax revenue if the Hops and Emeralds are forced to relocate.
If legislators approve the funding, the state could gain back its investment within six-and-a-half years with the revenue the teams bring in, an economic analysist showed.
Still, opposing groups tell KGW that they know of 34 legislators, who would vote against state funding for the Hops.
"So, I think our fans are nervous,” K.L. Wombacher, president of the Hops said. “Our partners are nervous."
The Hops were promoted to "High-A" level in 2021 and became an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the deal came with an obligation to have a home field that meets a new set of MLB standard. The team has said the league could force it to leave the city if its project for a new stadium stalls.
Recently, Washington County commissioners unanimously approved $8 million in funding for the Hops ballpark. However, the funding will only come, if the Hops can prove it will reach its $120 million goal for a new ballpark.
If full funding is achieved, the ballpark is slated to be built next to Ron Tonkin Field, where the team currently plays. The larger new stadium would replace three smaller fields in the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex and would double as a year-round outdoor entertainment venue for concerts, festivals and community events. The city would retain ownership and operation of Ron Tonkin Field.
"We think it's going to be a huge benefit to have an event center like this," Washington County Commissioner Jerry Willey said.
The project was originally set to break ground last summer, but it ran into funding trouble. The team has secured the bulk of the funding, about $82 million through private financing. Then, the city of Hillsboro contributed about $18 million in Transient Lodging Tax dollars. The team then had asked the Oregon Legislature to supply the final $20 million, but the money didn't emerge from the 2023 session.
Now, they’re facing pushback from advocates of equitable tax code.
"I think it's time for the business owners to pay for what they need,” Jody Wiser, President of Tax Fairness Oregon said. “Not ask the public to pay for what they need."
Staff for state representatives said the funding would not likely come through a bill, but rather through an ask to the capital budget.
If the Hops can’t secure funding, Wombacher said they are looking to move to Washington or Boise, Idaho.