December 30, 2022 — The critical first phase of the Port of Grays Harbor’s Westport Marina Modernization Project will kick-off in 2023 thanks to Community Project Funding dollars secured by Congressman Derek Kilmer in the federal 2023 fiscal year budget.
The Westport Marina is the hub of tribal, commercial, charter and recreational fishing on Washington’s Coast. Ranking 10th in the nation for commercial seafood volume with more than 132 million pounds landed, and 14th in the nation for commercial seafood value landed at $71.5 million, the activities at the Westport Marina and its uplands support nearly 2,300 jobs and over $227 million in business revenue every year in rural Southwest Washington.
The Port recently completed the Westport Marina Modernization Plan, which is the roadmap for the strategic and phased replacement of the Westport Marina floating dock infrastructure. The current float configuration and infrastructure of the Marina was constructed nearly 50 years ago and includes 550 slips designed for users of that era.
The $750,000 will be used for design of the first phase of float modernization and reconfiguration and will strategically focus on replacing the moorage infrastructure in greatest need of replacement, floats 11, 15, 17 and 21. Home to the largest vessels in the marina, the replacement of these docks is essential to providing adequate moorage to the large commercial fishing vessels operating out of the marina. This funding plays a critical role in the final design, engineering, and permit-ready requirements in making this a construction-ready project.
“We are so grateful for Congressman Kilmer’s work in securing this funding for the Westport Marina Modernization Project,” said Port of Grays Harbor Commission President Tom Quigg. “Community Project Funding at this critical early stage supports the important work of designing a facility to serve our commercial and recreational users for generations. As one of the top seafood landing ports in the United States, the Port is very proud of the role the Westport Marina plays in supporting thousands of jobs in coastal southwest Washington. Rebuilding and reconfiguration of the Marina’s float infrastructure will require multiple phases and many years to complete, and federal partnership such as this is crucial for a rural community to successfully provide infrastructure of such national significance.”
Founded in 1911, the Port of Grays Harbor is one of Washington State’s oldest port districts and Washington’s only deep-water port located directly on the Pacific Ocean. The Port of Grays Harbor operates 4 deep-water marine terminals, the Westport Marina, Bowerman Airport, Grays Harbor ship assist services, numerous public waterfront access facilities, in addition to industrial and business parks throughout the County. The addition of Satsop Business Park increased the Port’s properties to more than 1,000 acres of industrial properties and an additional 1,200 acres of sustainably managed forestland. Strategically located midway between Seattle and Portland and less than 1 ½ hours from open sea, the Port of Grays Harbor provides businesses a diverse portfolio of facilities. More information on the Port of Grays Harbor’s facilities and operations is available at portofgraysharbor.com or satsop.com.
