Port invests $16 million in fishing industry at Pier 91

The Port of Seattle made a $16.2 million commitment to the fishing industry today with the decision to build a 62,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and upgrade utilities at Pier 91, home of the North Pacific factory trawler fleet.

Carnitech, a manufacturer of fish-processing equipment for factory trawlers, is expected to lease the building in January 2007. Currently located in Ballard, the firm wants to grow its manufacturing capabilities, consolidate its activities in one location and be closer to its customers.

"This is an ideal way to support our maritime industry," said Port of Seattle Commission President Bob Edwards. "By providing Carnitech with a place to expand here in Seattle, we can maintain and grow the city's industrial employment base and strengthen the maritime core already in place at Pier 91."

The project includes:

-- construction of a pre-engineered steel building at a cost of $7.94 million to be completed by January 2007;

-- utility upgrades at a cost of $8.7 million to support the new building and up to five additional structures on the pier, to be completed by the third quarter of 2006;

-- environmental improvements including removal and disposal of contaminated soils and clean up and removal of old fuel lines for $950,000, to be completed by the end of 2005.

Once the project is complete, it will support 100 to 130 direct and indirect jobs with an estimated payroll of $11 million annually. State and local tax revenues generated by the project are estimated at $1.1 million per year.

"The factory trawler fleet is in a stable, profitable fishery and it is a pillar of the regional maritime economy," Edwards said. "It's an industry we're proud to support."

The new building and utility upgrades follow a $90 million program to rebuild Piers 90 and 91 that began in 1997. Creosote soaked wood pilings and pier deck were removed and replaced with concrete piles and decking, making the piers stronger and more durable. The project also improved the marine environment by removing creosote from the water.