$82 million in infrastructure grants is going to state’s ports. Here’s how Bellingham fared
Bellingham was largely shut out of $82 million in federal grants announced Tuesday to Washington state ports as part of a program to fund investments in new waterfront infrastructure.
Anacortes received the largest award of $65.1 million and Port Angeles received $9.4 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, which U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said is crucial to maintaining the ports’ competitiveness.
The EPA awarded the Port of Bellingham a $1.52 million planning grant, according to a joint announcement Tuesday from Cantwell and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, both Washington state Democrats.
Port of Bellingham spokesman Mike Hogan told The Bellingham Herald that port officials appreciated that $1.5 million grant that was announced Tuesday and mentioned that the port received a significant amount of federal money for several expansion projects earlier this year.
“This is great news and in addition to the more than $50 million in state and federal grants the port has secured over the state’s past two-year budget cycle, he said in an email.
“The Port of Anacortes is an important part of Washington state’s maritime infrastructure and a huge mover for Skagit County’s economy — these federal resources will help ensure the Port can more quickly implement its zero-emissions strategy while creating local jobs,” Murray said in a statement.
In a visit to the Port of Bellingham last week, Cantwell spoke to top port officials about their expansion plans and toured the port’s rail and docking facilities.
“This is a growth opportunity for our state, with our ports. We need to do more as a maritime nation. We need to bolster this particular sector,” Cantwell said.
Port Executive Director Rob Fix said the waterfront supports 6,000 total jobs, making it Whatcom County’s largest employer because businesses such as All American Marine and Bellingham Cold Storage benefit the broader economy.
“I think we have to establish ourselves as a maritime-focused community. We always have been, but it has fallen off because we lacked investment,” Fix said.
Bellingham is hoping to expand its docking and rail facilities, he said.
In June, the port received a $17.9 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant that will help it connect to the cross-country rail network, port officials said in a statement.
A $6.8 million grant in 2020 was used to modernize its shipping terminal. That project has added 31 new permanent jobs.
This story was originally published October 29, 2024 at 12:54 PM.
