Each year, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) selects one Port to honor as the Washington ‘Port of the Year’. This award is given to the Port which shows the greatest success in the industry as a way to motivate new innovation continuously. On December 8, 2023, WPPA announced the Port of Bremerton as this year’s recipient.
Since our beginning in 1913, our goal has been to make the greatest possible impact on our community while maintaining the integrity of what it means to be a public Port. We do this through our four facilities (Bremerton National Airport, Bremerton Marina, Port Orchard Marina, and Olympic View Industrial Park) while striving to increase economic development and improve local quality of life in Kitsap County. Receiving this award is recognition of the work we’ve always done, but particularly the accomplishments of the past year.
Port CEO Jim Rothlin says, “The accomplishments of the past year didn’t happen overnight, but they had the biggest spotlight as of recent. We received $15.7 Million in funding for our Port Orchard Marina breakwater, hosted US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for a press conference, added an electric charging conduit at Bremerton National Airport, started community initiatives, and more. All of these efforts of success can be attributed directly to the dedication of the entire staff and their commitment of being accountable every day to the success of the Port. I think everyone within the Port can be proud of what we’re accomplishing, and I hope we’re making our community proud too.”
Being the largest Port in Kitsap County, we care about all of the ways in which we’re able to impact life here. According to a recent study, we have created almost $1.2 Billion in economic impact and provide approximately 2,615 jobs. Beyond those numbers, though, we also have a lot to be proud of when it comes to tangible attributions. For instance, we donate an average of 6700 pounds of nonperishable items each year to our local food banks, started an Earth Day initiative in partnership with the Great Peninsula Conservancy, help fund over 55 events each year, and helped in the creation of Seabeck’s Pickleball courts.
“Being a public agency, we work hard to make sure that each tax dollar received is put to good use and spent responsibly. What many people don’t realize is that our facilities contribute greatly to the local economy and region. We hope that with the recognition of this esteemed award, people will take greater note of all that we contribute.” says Port Commission President Axel Strakeljahn.
