Swinomish tribe receives $10.8 million to improve its port

SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY - The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has received $10.8 million in federal funding to improve port infrastructure.

The tribe will use the Port Infrastructure Development Program funding that was announced April 27 to build a new commercial pier and covered storage, to renovate three moorage piers and to design a new fish processing plant.

Swinomish Harbormaster Brett Lezotte said the project will address longstanding needs for the tribe's fishing fleet and equipment infrastructure.

He said there is inadequate space for equipment, and inadequate structures to offload cargo.

"It's great because it helps the waterfront, it helps the fishers be able to get their gear on their boats faster, and get their fish and crabs back safely," Lezotte said.

In 2022, the tribe received $11 million from the Port Infrastructure Development Program for the design phase of the project.

This year's funding will go toward constructing the facilities.

"We are incredibly grateful to Congressman (Rick) Larsen for supporting this grant," Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Chairman Steve Edwards said in a news release. "The commercial dock funded by this award allows us to continue to exercise our treaty fishing rights and is an important next step in the development of the Port of Swinomish."

The project is expected to be completed in the next five years.

Larsen said ports are cornerstones of the local economy, and the funding will allow ports to increase their impact.

"I am glad to have been able to play a role in advocating for these funds, and I will keep working to bring home federal dollars to upgrade port infrastructure and create jobs in Northwest Washington," Larsen said in the news release.

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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 7:08 AM.