FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 6, 2005
CONTACT:
Carolyn Casey, Communications Manager, Port of Bellingham
360.676.2500 or carolyncportofbellingham.com <mailto:carolyncportofbellingham.com>
Charla Skaggs, Media Coordinator, Washington Public Ports Association
360.943.0760 or cskaggswashingtonports.org <mailto:cskaggswashingtonports.org>
Bellingham earns WPPA Port of the Year
TACOMA - The Port of Bellingham was named the Washington Public Ports Association’s Port of the Year for 2005. WPPA President Paul Schneidmiller, commissioner for the Port of Walla Walla, made the announcement during the Association’s annual meeting in Tacoma.
The Port of Bellingham recently acquired a 137-acre industrial waterfront property from Georgia Pacific. By forging innovative partnerships with state and local agencies, Port officials have begun clean-up and development efforts that will create a beautiful waterfront area accessible to the public.
“The Port of Bellingham has shown remarkable leadership and commitment to the community in its efforts to acquire and redevelop the former Georgia Pacific site,” said Schneidmiller. “Their efforts will result in increased economic development as well as enhanced recreational facilities for the citizens of Bellingham.”
The Port and the City of Bellingham recently embarked on a joint master planning process designed to include all members of the community.
In addition to their efforts with the former Georgia Pacific property, Port officials recently completed a $420,000 restoration of Bellingham’s Marine Park. The project included creating a soft-bank shoreline area, improving park facilities and enhancing public access to the community park.
"I am pleased to congratulate the Port of Bellingham for achieving well-earned recognition of its work in providing leadership in economic development and environmental stewardship," said Washington Governor Chris Gregoire. “The Port has been an outstanding partner with the Department of Ecology in cleaning up several sites around Bellingham Bay. Restoring contaminated sites not only protects public health and the environment, but also fosters jobs and economic vitality. The State of Washington looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with the Port to ensure success in its waterfront redevelopment, creating new opportunities for Whatcom County.”
“We are pleased to be given this honor and we recognize that our success as a Port is due to our strong partnerships with our private business partners and with the federal, state and local governments,” said Bellingham Port Commission President Doug Smith. “We recognize that in partnership we can work together to promote both the economic and environmental goals of our community.”
Begun in 1987, the Port of the Year Award recognizes a WPPA member that has shown leadership and innovation in economic development efforts. The Association’s Executive Committee chooses the winning port from a pool of nominees.
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The Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) represents the state’s 76 port districts and provides a network through which ports share information and address issues on trade, transportation, economic development, and the environment. Washington’s port districts offer a wide range of services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion.
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