Port of Skagit Hosts Congressional Committee Visit

Four members of the US House of Representatives visited the Port of Skagit on Tuesday to learn more about Skagit Regional Airport and projects supported by federal grant dollars.

Representative Rick Larsen (WA-2) coordinated the visit, which included four members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and several staff.  Rep. Larsen, as Ranking Member of the Committee, was joined by Committee Chairman Sam Graves of Missouri, Rep. Julia Brownley and Rep. Mark Desaulnier, both of California.

The visit to Skagit Regional Airport was an excellent opportunity to highlight the Port of Skagit’s success in utilizing federal dollars, primarily grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  These funds are used to make airport improvements, and in turn have served as a catalyst for business growth and private development on the airport.  The Port of Skagit has received more than $38-million from the FAA since 2009 for airport capital projects.  This significant public investment has been matched nearly dollar for dollar with private investment in recent years, with more than $40-million in private development on the airfield.

A key component of the airport’s success is support from the community and local government.  Skagit County has been an instrumental partner in facilitating the growth of the airport through land use protections and by identifying Skagit Regional Airport as a critical public facility in the County’s Comprehensive Plan.

“We wish to thank Representative Larsen and the federal delegation for their continued support of Skagit Regional Airport,” stated Sara Young, Port of Skagit Executive Director.  “Today’s visit is a good indication that we are achieving the Port’s mission of job creation, economic opportunity, commerce and public benefit for the Skagit Valley.”