Bellingham: Murray Adds $850,000 for Economic Development and Transportation Priorities in Northwest Washington

(Washington, D.C) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she has included $850,000 in funding for Northwest WA projects in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. Senator Murray is the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. 

In the bill, Murray added $250,000 for construction of the Bellingham Marine Trades Center. These funds will aid the community’s efforts to transform a 5 acre tissue warehouse on the Bellingham waterfront into a center that will support the marine trades. The Center will support many existing small businesses that are water-dependent as well as provide job and businesses growth for the community.  There are more than 100 firms in the marine trade and fisheries in Whatcom County and boat building and repair is identified as a Washington state priority for job creation and workforce training assistance. 

"I know that in Bellingham marine trades like shipbuilding, ship repair, and marine transportation play a vital role in providing family wage jobs and growing the local economy," said Senator Murray. "This funding will support small businesses in the marine trades by locating them in an accessible marina and by providing resources to train more marine trade employees."

"Senator Murray has shown great leadership in helping our community redevelop our working waterfront," said Port of Bellingham Commission President Scott Walker. "The Marine Trades Center is an essential part of this project because it will generate 500 new local jobs in the marine trades and will further position our community as a leader in this growing Pacific Northwest industry."

The THUD bill passed the full Appropriations Committee today and will now move to the full Senate for consideration. 

Other important projects funded by Senator Murray in NW Washington include: 



Island Transit Vehicle Replacement — $600,000

This funding will enable Island Transit to purchase vehicles to expand service and replace aged vehicles. This project will support rural mobility needs.