Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million to Help Establish New Commercial Fishing Dock in Neah Bay, Washington

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Tuesday, May 29, 2012

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson today announced a $1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Makah Indian Tribe of Neah Bay, Washington, to help design a new commercial fishing dock and building. The project is expected to help retain 420 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

"This $1 million EDA investment in Neah Bay, Washington, is an example of the Obama Administration's commitment to supporting a 21st century infrastructure," said Secretary Bryson. "This EDA grant will help the Makah Tribe establish a facility that will ensure the long-term viability of its commercial fishing operations, which are the mainstay of the tribe's economy."

The new commercial fishing dock and building will provide the Tribe with a state-of-the-art facility incorporating safer and more efficient loading and offloading facilities, improved security, and meeting areas and office space for use by fishermen, buyers, and the agencies that oversee fishing operations. The design project will also include a survey of submerged aquatic vegetation, an assessment of the bathymetry and substrate, and an official property record map to verify ownership of tidelands and bedlands.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.