Representative Rick Larsen Tours Port of Skagit Projects
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen visited the Port of Skagit on March 5th to see projects underway in maritime manufacturing, aviation expansion and value-added agriculture.
The day included tours and conversations with representatives from Island Grown Farmers’ Cooperative, Corporate Air Center, Systima Technologies, Dyberg Aviation and Mavrik Marine. Representatives from each of the businesses, along with Port staff, shared project updates with the District 2 Congressman, discussed the Port’s role in economic recovery, and how working with the Port has benefited their businesses.
“We couldn’t have done it without the Port’s partnership,” stated Zachery Battle, owner of Mavrik Marine. “I can’t imagine a better situation with them.” The Port is nearing completion of a 17,000 s.f. building for Mavrik Marine that was funded by a combination of state and local funding. The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) Committed Private Partner Program provided $3 million in grant and loan funding, a Skagit County economic development grant offered $300,000, and the Port of Skagit supported the project with $500,000 in capital funds.
Port of Skagit Commissioner Kevin Ware explained that adding more infrastructure will in turn attract more businesses and create more jobs—which is the core mission of the Port of Skagit. “The Port of Skagit has the unique opportunity to focus primarily on economic development. With that, we have been very successful in leveraging funding opportunities for public-private partnerships that are helping businesses expand their footprint and create more jobs.”
Representative Larsen serves as the Chair of the Aviation Sub-Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, so the FAA-funded apron expansion at Skagit Regional Airport was of particular interest to him. The Federal Aviation Administration provided approximately $4.5-million of $5-million project, an investment that will continue to build business development opportunities at the Port of Skagit and job creation in our community.