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Submitted by Port of Olympia

The Port of Olympia received a $9,270,918 federal grant for its Seaport Throughput Improvement Project through the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. The grant will fund surface repairs in approximately 21 acres of the Port’s cargo handling area and the construction of a new maintenance facility. Funding is also provided for making structural repairs to the marine terminal’s “Berth One” to support the use of the mobile harbor crane and other cargo handling.

“The federal government’s funding for port infrastructure projects across the country demonstrates how critical ports are to the economy and to our communities,” said Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney. “This grant makes it possible for the Port of Olympia to continue playing an important role in the national supply chain, providing jobs, and contributing to the economic growth of our region.”

Vessels have been loading at the Port of Olympia marine terminal since 1925. In addition to timber, the Port has moved a wide range of products including wind energy equipment, dairy cattle, hay, scrap iron, commodities like rice and sugar, and construction supplies and equipment. According to an economic impact study completed in 2021, about 461 jobs in the Olympia regional economy trace back to cargo and vessel activity at the Port of Olympia. In 2020, marine cargo activity at the Port boosted the regional economy by $20.8 million.

The Port of Olympia projects is one of 41 projects in 22 states and one territory, including 5 projects in Washington State, that received funding through the federal grant program for ports. The funding will help improve supply chain reliability through increased port capacity and resilience. According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation, these investments will help get goods to shelves faster and lower costs for American families.

The grant for the Port of Olympia’s project was made possible thanks to support from Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Patty Murray, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, the City of Olympia, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, Thurston Economic Development Council, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Thurston Regional Planning Council, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 47, and Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.

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