December 8, 2023

OLYMPIA, Washington—Each year the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) recognizes outstanding work within the port community at the association’s Annual Meeting in December.

WPPA is pleased to announce the 2023 Port of the Year: the Port of Bremerton. The Port is recognized for its extraordinary work to grow its local economy, strengthen its community and join forces with its partners to improve quality of life for the residents of Kitsap County.

“From investing in public infrastructure and facilities that grow jobs to collaborating with partners and being on the leading edge of electrification, the Port of Bremerton exemplifies the role Washington’s public ports fill for our communities and state,” said WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch. “What they’ve accomplished is beyond impressive and has a real positive impact on our industry, the people they serve and our shared environment. We are pleased to recognize the Port of Bremerton as our 2023 Port of the Year.”

This past year has been one of substantial investment and success for the Port of Bremerton. The Port has invested in its marina, industrial park, airport, and community to support tenants, businesses and Tribal partners, provide critical services and facilities, and help its customers, residents and visitors reduce their environmental impact.

Key 2023 accomplishments include:

·      Increasing American Cruise Lines cruise ship dockings at Bremerton Marina from a dozen to 45. This increased activity brings more visitors and local spending to the area, supporting local businesses, historic sites, local nonprofits, and the community.

·     Signing a 40-year lease with the Circuit of the Northwest to bring a premier regional sports event center to the Port’s Olympia View Industrial Park. Construction and operations will support more than 900 jobs and infuse $75 million into Kitsap County.

·     Earning $15.7 million in state and federal funding to replace the Port Orchard Marina breakwater, which serves marina customers as well as the Suquamish Tribal fisheries.

·      Partnering with the Suquamish Tribe and supporting treaty rights by reserving a portion of the Port Orchard Marina breakwater for the tribal fishing fleet.

·     Installing electric vessel charging ports at the Port Orchard Marina to keep up with changing industry technology and reduce emissions. This helps customers as well as Kitsap Transit, as it transitions its ferry fleet to electric vessels.

·     Increasing safety and capacity at Bremerton National Airport through a $10.7 million runway lighting project and $3.1 million corporate hanger project. These improvements support general aviation as well as Airlift Northwest and WRG Fire Training, which provide regional transportation and emergency response services.

·      Supporting reduced emissions through new airport charging port conduits and, in partnership with Puget Sound Energy, a 34-acre solar farm at the Bremerton National Airport.

·     Coordinating closely with the Bremerton Aviation Center for Education to train the next generation of aviators and build an electric motor glider, set to take flight in 2024.

·     Partnering with a local developer to transform the Bremerton Marina parking lot into a dual-purpose facility: an apartment building with a full parking garage. This $200 million project provides much-needed housing and secure parking for marina customers.

·     Facilitating a food drive among Port tenants and partners that collected and donated 6,714 pounds of food to the South Kitsap Helpline and Bremerton Foodline.

·     Maintaining several smaller public amenities throughout Kitsap County, including Harper Pier, which accommodates fishing, diving, and other key needs in the small and vibrant community of Harper.

Learn more about the Port of Bremerton at www.portofbremerton.org. 

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As a state legislative and regulatory advocacy organization, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) fosters public policy for ports to achieve their goals. The WPPA was formed by the Legislature in 1961 to represent public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion. Learn more at washingtonports.org. 

CONTACT

Eric ffitch

Washington Public Ports Association

E: effitch@washingtonports.org

T: 360-763-1179