West Coast Self Storage Group, comprised of former executives of Shurgard Self Storage, has entered a joint venture with Catalyst Storage Partners to develop and acquire self-storage projects in major markets in the western United States. West Coast will find, develop, acquire and manage the locations, with Catalyst providing the necessary capital. The group plans to invest $50 million in properties over the next few years and has already acquired its first location in Portland, Ore.Headquartered in Seattle, West Coast manages eight storage properties and is actively looking to expand. Jim McNamee, president, has been in the self-storage business for more than 20 years and was the West-Coast regional manager for Shurgard Storage Centers prior to the companys sale in 2006. The companys other principles, Mike Spaulding, Steve Tangney and John Eisenbarth, are also former Shurgard executives with more than 65 years of collective industry experience. For more information, visit www.westcoastself-storage.com. Catalyst, comprised of former Shurgard Founder and Chairman Chuck Barbo, CEO Dave Grant and CIO Harrell Beck, is a newly formed venture specializing in self-storage investment. The group plans to deploy capital in self-storage development and acquisition opportunities throughout the United States.