The ports of Garibaldi and
Tillamook Bay have been chosen to receive grant funding from the state ConnectOregon
program, which provides grants and loans to non-highway transportation projects
promoting economic development throughout the state.
The Port of Garibaldi is
slated to receive $1.6 million and the Port of Tillamook Bay will get $163,000.
The Port of Garibaldi’s
funding goes toward reconstruction of its 72-year-old Commercial Street wharf, so
that it can handle about 300 pounds per square foot, as opposed to the current 100
pounds PSF.
The full cost to reinforce
the structure is estimated at $4.1 million.
The Port of Tillamook Bay’s
grant funds will go toward the renovation of two runways at the port’s industrial
park. The runways will be re-paved and narrowed by several feet on each side.
The industrial park was
used as an air base during World War II.
The ConnectOregon funds
match FAA grant money already in place, according to the Port of Tillamook Bay.
Since it was launched by
the state department of transportation in 2005, ConnectOregon has funded more than
100 projects around the state. Previous recipients include the ports of Portland,
Arlington, Morrow, Umatilla, Coos Bay, St. Helens and BNSF Railway, among others.
