Port of Olympia wins $9M grant for marine port improvements

The Port of Olympia was awarded a $9,270,918 federal grant for its Seaport Throughput Improvement Project by the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program.

“The federal government’s funding for port infrastructure projects across the country demonstrates how critical ports are to the economy and to our communities,” commented Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney in a press statement.

According to the Port’s media release, funds from the grant will be used to repair the marine terminal’s “Berth One” to support a mobile harbor cane and other cargo handling; fix around 21 acres of the Port’s cargo handling area; and build a new maintenance facility.

One of five projects in the state, the Port of Olympia’s grant is part of the federal government’s efforts to “help get goods to shelves faster and lower costs for American families,” the Port quoted the US Department of Transportation.

The Port pointed out that various products have passed its docks since 1945.

“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,” Gibboney added.

They pointed out that marine cargo activity at the Port boosted the regional economy by $20.8 million in 2020.

The Port also claimed that an economic impact study completed in 2021 saw 461 jobs in the Olympia regional economy traced back to cargo and vessel activity at the Port of Olympia.