Newport News receives $640,994 grant to expand Seafood Industrial Park – Daily Press

NEWPORT NEWS — The town was awarded a $640,994 grant from the U.S. Division of Commerce’s Financial Improvement Administration to assist design work for a seafood market, in addition to dock enhancements and dredging design on the head of the Seafood Industrial Park.

The park, which the Metropolis of Newport Information owns, is likely one of the nation’s premier seafood harbors and a necessary a part of town’s economic system. It’s house to many seafood and different water-dependent firms.

Newport Information Division of Improvement Director Florence Kingston mentioned design work would start later this 12 months and wrap up in early 2024. She mentioned till that’s full, the sq. footage and price of the seafood market received’t be decided. Some early concepts for the market embrace kiosks, eating places and a corridor the place distributors may promote seafood.

The town will complement the funding with an extra $200,000.

Kingston mentioned the undertaking could be a major asset to the group and assist create and protect jobs. She mentioned folks have a tendency to love their seafood to be “as recent as potential” and the market would enable for that.

She mentioned the market would additionally present entrepreneurship alternatives for folks within the seafood business.

Derek Perry, assistant director of Newport Information’s division of improvement, mentioned the seafood market and dock enhancements feed into town’s broader efforts to revitalize the southern aspect of Newport Information.

Kingston mentioned she expects building on the initiatives to start subsequent 12 months, with the seafood market probably being accomplished in late 2024 and the dock enhancements prepared in 2025.

The economic park supplies full-service lodging to the seafood business. Up to now decade, the park has constantly been among the many prime 10 markets nationally for the worth of seafood landed. As well as, Kingston estimates that the park brings in over a $1 million in tax income annually.

Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com