Port celebrates strong results, Deeper Draft completion at 6th Annual Business Report

Community and business leaders, along with Port customers, tenants and partners came together Wednesday, February 13, 2019, for the Port of Grays Harbor's 6th annual Business Report event. Port Commissioners and staff shared 2018 business results, followed by a celebration of the completion of Phase II of the Grays Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, also known as Deeper Draft.

Commission President Stan Pinnick reported 2018's business highlights including the record- breaking cargo handled at the Port's four deep-water terminals, the 400 employees that report to businesses at the Satsop Business Park daily, the record number of camping nights at Friends Landing and the Westport Marina ranking 11th in the nation for commercial seafood landings. "We applaud all of our partners here today for generating all of this record breaking activity," stated Commissioner Pinnick.

Executive Director Gary Nelson recognized how past strategic investments in infrastructure have resulted in today's success for Port partners. "Our customers and tenants are able to utilize the buildings, docks, waterways, roadways, rail and utilities that we have invested in to support and grow their businesses, employ our neighbors and generate solid economic impacts for our community," explained Nelson.

Mr. Nelson also brought attention to the need for continued investment in infrastructure to support future growth citing Port projects planned for 2019 such as road paving in the Port Industrial area and Satsop Business Park, Westport Marina dredging and upland improvements, and a critical drainage project at Bowerman Airport.

The event wrapped up with a celebration of the completion of the deepening of the Grays Harbor Navigation Channel to its full congressionally authorized depth, a project 40 years in the making. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District Commander and District Engineer, Colonel Mark A. Geraldi and his staff were on hand to celebrate the accomplishment and partnership. "It has been an honor working with the Seattle District on this important navigation project. We truly value the partnership with the Corps and I am pleased to announce we have already seen the benefits of the project with an increase in the average tonnage of vessels calling Grays Harbor," said Executive Director Gary Nelson.

Source: Port of Grays Harbor