Seattle, Tacoma Port Commissioners to Hold Joint Study Session

Ports will discuss environmental, security, regional cooperation

Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma commissioners have scheduled a joint study session for Tuesday, April 1. The special session, a first for the two ports, will focus on issues critical to both ports as they work to create economic growth for the state.

Topics discussed during the two-hour meeting will include:

Air quality cooperation

Transportation infrastructure needs, focusing on intermodal and legislative cooperation

Regional promotion to cooperatively market the strengths of the two ports as they address emerging competitive threats

Security, including grants and joint emergency preparedness planning

Members of the public are invited to attend. The meeting will take place from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Crystal Mountain Room of Kent Commons, at 525 Fourth Ave. N in Kent. The meeting cannot be webcast live, as Seattle and Tacoma commission meetings typically are; however, it will be audiotaped and a link to the audio will be placed on both websites shortly after the meeting concludes.

About the Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle operates several major facilities in King County, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which served over 31 million passengers in 2007, and a seaport that supports a thriving cruise industry, commercial and recreational marinas, and three container terminals which handled 1.97 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units) in 2007. These facilities support nearly 200,000 jobs in the Puget Sound region and generate more than $12 billion in business revenue and $626 million in state and local taxes annually. To learn more about the Port of Seattle here.

About the Port of Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state connected to Port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America, handling more than $36 billion in annual trade and about 1.93 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units). The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks. To learn more about the Port of Tacoma here.