News Flash

Home

Posted on: November 17, 2015

All American Marine to Move from Fairhaven to Bellingham's Central Waterfront

The Port and All American Marine have reached an agreement to relocate the boat-builder from Fairhaven to a Port-owned marine trades area on Bellingham’s central waterfront which will allow the company to expand and hire additional employees. The Fairhaven property to be vacated is set to be taken over by another major waterfront employer, Fairhaven Shipyard.

“This is great news for our working waterfront” said Port Commission President Dan Robbins. “All American Marine and Fairhaven Shipyard provide over 150 family-wage jobs to our local community. Both companies are doing well and need additional space to expand operations, and this agreement allows that to happen.”

Under the terms of the deal, the Port will build All American Marine a new 39,000 square foot manufacturing facility and two additional buildings on Hilton Avenue. The cost of this facility will be repaid through a new 25-year lease with the Port.

“There continues to be strong market demand for our cutting-edge catamaran design because of proven advantages in fuel efficiency and vessel stability” said Matt Mullett, President and CEO of All American Marine. “We need a larger manufacturing facility and a larger workforce to meet customer requests for bigger vessels.”

All American Marine plans to hire an additional 27 employees after the relocation is complete.
The Port received funding support through Whatcom County’s Economic Development Investment Program, a revolving loan and grant program designed to encourage the creation or retention of private sector jobs, to help pay for the relocation costs.

“Whatcom County’s Economic Development Investment Program was critical to making this deal work” said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. “Whatcom County was in real danger of losing an important waterfront employer due to space limitations at the Fairhaven site. With funding support through the Economic Development Investment Program, we are going to be able to make the infrastructure investments necessary to retain important working waterfront employers and position the marine trades sector for growth over the next 25 years.”

Marine trades industries have a vital role in providing family-wage jobs and boosting the local economy. According to an economic impact study of Port operations, marine trades tenant activity in Whatcom County supports over 2,600 direct jobs, $122 million in direct income and provides over $18 million in taxes.

All American Marine specializes in the construction of custom tailored aluminum boats and has become a leading builder of high speed passenger catamarans, excursion boats, and research vessels. All American Marine is the exclusive builder for Aukland, New Zealand based Teknicraft Design Ltd. catamarans in North America.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Home

Port Acquires Complex to Support Industry

Posted on: February 28, 2023

Port Releases 2023 Final Strategic Budget

Posted on: November 17, 2022

31st Annual Holiday Port Wrap Up

Posted on: December 10, 2021

Port Releases 2022 Final Strategic Budget

Posted on: November 18, 2021

Marine Life Center to Reopen March 1

Posted on: February 19, 2021

Salish Sea Scavenger Hunt

Posted on: July 29, 2020

29th Annual Holiday Port Wrap Up

Posted on: December 13, 2019

Shoreline Repair Work Notice

Posted on: October 21, 2019

Waterfront Bike Park Temporarily Closed

Posted on: September 15, 2019

Waterfront Bike Park Notice

Posted on: September 13, 2019

Fourth of July Celebration

Posted on: June 25, 2019

Port Seeks Native Artwork Proposals

Posted on: June 20, 2019

Port Seeks Waterfront Event Proposals

Posted on: February 1, 2019

New Waterfront Road Open to Public

Posted on: January 22, 2019

Port to Apply for Rural Broadband Funding

Posted on: September 17, 2018

Port Earns Clean Audit

Posted on: June 22, 2018

Port Updates Mission Statement

Posted on: December 5, 2017

Port Earns Clean Audit from State

Posted on: June 21, 2017

Port Appoints New Manager of Marinas

Posted on: January 13, 2017

Waterfront Redevelopment Art Project

Posted on: January 13, 2017

Port Commission Selects 2017 Officers

Posted on: January 3, 2017

Port Commission Selects 2016 Officers

Posted on: January 6, 2016

Port Appoints Director of Aviation

Posted on: October 19, 2015

Bellstock Festival this Weekend

Posted on: October 2, 2015

Marine Life Center Temporarily Closed

Posted on: August 7, 2015