The Port of Port Angeles is looking to fund the development of a study that would delve into the feasibility of a dry dock.
Port officials plan to seek some of that funding by applying for the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) planning grant program.
The POPA’s port commission authorized the port’s executive director to formally apply to CERB for funding assistance during its Jan. 25 meeting.
Up to $50,000 could be made available to help pay for the study, which would look at the port’s options for buying and installing a dry dock to lease and be used by private marine trades firms that maintain and fix vessels.
The port has said that it has been approached by private companies regarding the possibility of a dry dock at the marine terminal complex.
The study would encompass a market/financial analysis assessing whether having a dry dock would be economically viable based on demand and how much it would cost to put in the needed infrastructure and environmental controls.
“The overall objective of the study is to confirm the purpose, need and opportunity of establishing a dry dock at the port; consider the economic needs of the county; analyze the positive economic and social impacts; and ensure that environmental best practices would be in place for this proposed development,” according to the port.