BREMERTON — The Port of Bremerton received a $49,500 grant to provide financial support for a marketing feasibility study from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB).

The goal of the study is to enhance the Port’s real estate portfolio and ultimately increase business development within the existing infrastructure of 1,700 acres. The port is contributing $25,500 in matching funds to this project.

Jim Rothlin, CEO of the Port of Bremerton, presented to the CERB board on Thursday, May 19.

This funding will be used to perform a specialized market study conducted by Heartland LLC, based out of Seattle. The study will assist the City of Bremerton in its efforts to increase jobs in Kitsap County.

“We are looking forward to beginning this project,” Rothlin said. “We see it as an opportunity to better refine our marketing strategy and to more aggressively pursue our target markets.”

The development of a more complex market study like this will help to specifically identify what type of business would most benefit from the area’s prime development and growth opportunities here in Bremerton.

Port Commissioner and President Axel Strakeljahn added, “The project will provide tools to allow a more direct marketing approach, targeting businesses that best fit the amenities and infrastructure that the Port of Bremerton has to offer.”

The grant will facilitate the Port’s ability to support its mission of job creation and economic growth.

The Port of Bremerton is currently home to over 35 businesses and approximately 1,000 employees within the Olympic Industrial and Business Parks. In addition, it has 11 pad-ready sites and more than 1,700 acres for development adjacent to the Bremerton National Airport, which features a 6,000-foot runway.

— Edited by Michelle Beahm