WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, with Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05), today announced that the Port of Newport has received $1.2 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce for the construction of a new pier.
The denigration of a decades-old wooden pier has forced the port to turn away new businesses and restrict pier access to halt further damage to the structure.
“The Port of Newport has long been home to one of Oregon’s largest fishing fleets,” dijo Merkley. “When the fleet thrives, the Lincoln County economy thrives. That’s why infrastructure upgrades—like the construction of a new pier in Newport—couldn’t be more important. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with local leaders to secure funding for this critical project, so the community can welcome new businesses and help ensure that families have good-paying, reliable jobs for generations to come.”
“This federal investment in the Port of Newport will send powerful economic ripples throughout Lincoln County and the Oregon Coast,” dijo Wyden. “Today’s good news helps both Oregonians employed in the fishing fleet that calls the port home as well as the region’s businesses that benefit from a strong economy. What a wonderful “Oregon Way’ example of working together to make our state an even better place to live and work.”
“The Port of Newport is an economic powerhouse in the Pacific Northwest and home to the largest fishing fleet in the State of Oregon,” said Rep. Schrader. “At the heart of this engine is the aging Port Dock 5. I am pleased that the Economic Development Agency has chosen to prioritize the modernization of this piece of infrastructure that is so critical to the regional economy, the fishing community, and the future of so many small businesses on the Oregon Coast.”
“The Port of Newport greatly appreciates the support from our Congressional delegates, State Legislators and the Economic Development Administration for this investment in infrastructure improvements that support the leading industry in Lincoln County. We would also like to thank the many stakeholders who came together to offer letters of support and advocacy for this project as we prepare to rebuild the Port Dock 5 Pier, which connects the fishing fleet to the shoreline, and aligns the Port to plan future infrastructure improvements in the Commercial Marina,” said Paula Miranda, General Manager, Port of Newport.
The grant will be administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, and will be matched with local funding.
The Port of Newport currently includes 65 individual businesses, and provides hundreds of jobs to local Oregonians while ranking as the state’s top port for total value of fish landed. The new pier will allow the port to continue to serve existing businesses, help create 17 new jobs, provide service to new businesses, and accommodate changes in vessel construction over the next four decades.
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