Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community was awarded a $10.8 million grant to build a new commercial pier, develop covered storage, renovate three moorage piers and design a new fish processing plant, according to a statement released by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.

The grant was awarded under the Port Infrastructure Development Program, which is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The first phase of the Port of Swinomish project had already received $11 million in 2022 for the planning and design of the facilities. The new grant will fund the actual construction of the facilities.

The Port of Swinomish lacks an adequate location to support its fishing fleet and store equipment, according to a statement on the Tribe’s Facebook page.

“Together, these investments move the Port of Swinomish closer to becoming a modern facility that supports local fishermen, strengthens the regional economy, and reinforces the Tribe’s self-determination,” the statement reads.

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Chairman Steve Edwards thanked Larsen for supporting the grant.

“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,” Edwards said in the statement.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community did not respond to a request for comment.

Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.