U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $7.3 Million to Catalyze Maritime Sector Employment with New Industrial Park in Port Angeles, Washington

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $7.3 million grant to the Port of Port Angeles, Washington, to support construction of a new industrial park.

This project will catalyze the creation of good-paying jobs in the maritime services sector by developing the infrastructure needed to support new and existing businesses in Clallam County. This EDA investment will be matched with $3.8 million in local investment and is expected to create 103 jobs and generate $8 million in private investment.

“President Biden is committed to building a better America by supporting communities as they develop vibrant local economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will assist Port Angeles in creating economic and infrastructure resiliency that will expand and diversify the region’s economic base, while stimulating private investment.”
“This Economic Development Administration partners with local communities to support economic growth,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The 18-acre Marine Trades Industrial Park this grant supports will provide space for existing maritime enterprises to grow, and the infrastructure needed to attract new businesses to the area.”

“This is a significant win for the Port Angeles community and Washington’s iconic maritime sector,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “I appreciate the work of local and federal partners to create exciting new job opportunities and strengthen the region’s economy.”

“This $7.3 million investment is another exciting step in the revitalization of the Port Angeles waterfront,” said Senator Maria Cantwell. “The Marine Trades Industrial Park will help support existing maritime businesses and ensure the stability of good-paying jobs. And with this vital piece of infrastructure in place, Port Angeles can become a hub for industry innovation, creating new jobs for generations to come.”

“This is big news because it will create economic opportunity and new jobs in our region. As someone who grew up in Port Angeles and then worked professionally in economic development before serving in Congress, I know that our region has a lot of potential. That’s why I’ve been advocating for the federal government to invest in Port Angeles and in the future of this region’s economy. I’m thrilled that Secretary Raimondo and the Biden Administration have heeded those calls and announced a new investment in the Port of Port Angeles’ new Marine Trade Industrial Park,” said Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06). “This new funding will help provide much-needed resilient infrastructure at the Marine Trades Industrial Park – ensuring that we can make progress to support the maritime boat building and repair industry, strengthen and diversify the region’s economy, and serve as a catalyst for new jobs.”

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.