For Immediate Release
November 28, 2007 Contact: Amanda Mahnke, Congressman Rick Larsen's staff
(202) 420-8356
Carolyn Casey, Port of Bellingham
(360) 676-2500
Larsen Announces Support for Bellingham Bid
Bellingham, WA - Today at the Port of Bellingham, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced his support for Bellingham's bid to be the new site for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Marine Operations Center Pacific (MOC-P).
For the past two years, the Port of Bellingham has been promoting the Bellingham Shipping Terminal as a new site for this fleet, citing the availability of deep-water docks, the business and educational relationships the community already has with NOAA's operations and the broad community support for NOAA's mission.
This fall, NOAA began the process of identifying and assessing future sites for the facility, which is currently located in Seattle. Last week the Port submitted its official request for NOAA's site selection process to consider Bellingham. This selection process is underway and will continue through much of 2008. Three to five finalist locations should be announced by the spring of 2008. It is possible that some of the locations being considered will be outside of Washington state.
NOAA has a lease on privately owned facilities in Lake Union through mid-2011.
Larsen was joined at the Port today by Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike, Port of Bellingham Executive Director Jim Darling, Dean of Western Washington University's Huxley College Brad Smith and All American Marine CFO Del McAlpine. Larsen released the following statement:
"I am here today to announce that I stand with you, the Port and City of Bellingham, Western Washington University, and the Whatcom County community in support of Bellingham as a new home and a new beginning for NOAA.
"After carefully considering the merits of Bellingham's case, I have come to the conclusion that NOAA belongs in Bellingham.
"As NOAA begins the process of evaluating future sites for the Marine Operations Center, now is the time to take a stand and make our case.
"NOAA has a blank slate to make this decision and will evaluate each site on its merits. Ports in and around Washington state will throw their hats in the ring. Our task is to make it clear to NOAA what we already know -- that Bellingham offers the best new beginning for this important facility.
"The Port of Bellingham has put us in an excellent position to offer NOAA a new home. Bellingham offers flexibility, with piers and facilities that can be improved and expanded to meet NOAA's needs.
"A Bellingham-based NOAA facility would build partnerships and take advantage of research and education opportunities offered by Western Washington University and other area schools.
"Finally, Bellingham offers NOAA tremendous community support, a strong marine trades industry, and a skilled labor pool.
"As the Representative for not only Whatcom County, but all of Northwest Washington, I am excited about this and other opportunities to bring new assets and new ships to Northwest Washington ports.
"After careful consideration, in my mind there is only one answer for NOAA -- Bellingham."
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