PORT ANGELES — A proposed composites recycling technology center has received $2 million more from the federal government, bringing to $4 million the total grants promised to the project.
The U.S. Department of Commerce on Friday announced the award to the Port of Port Angeles to retrofit a 25,000-square-foot building at 2020 W. 18th St., at William R. Fairchild International Airport.
There, the port hopes to recycle scrap carbon-fiber materials produced by Puget Sound-area manufacturers that currently ship to landfills.
The federal grant will be matched by a $1 million outlay from the state Clean Energy Fund, plus a pending $1 million Clallam County Opportunity Fund grant.
County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis has refused to release the county funds, prompting county commissioners to reapply for them to the Opportunity Fund Advisory Board.
A public hearing on the request will start at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Room 208 of the Lincoln Center, 906 W. Ninth St., Port Angeles.
The board previously approved the grant April 30.
If it reaffirms it, the commissioners say they will reauthorize the spending, although that action has not yet been placed on a county commission agenda.
Barkhuis, however, has insisted the money should be retained to fund a postponed sewer system in Carlsborg.
Regarding Friday’s federal announcement, Gov. Jay Inslee said: “This $2 million federal grant brings the composite recycling technology center one step closer to its goal of converting composite waste materials from our state’s advanced manufacturers into innovative new products.”
Inslee called the grant an “important funding milestone for the center,” which he said was “a tremendous example of a community with a vision for how clean technology will create jobs and opportunity to secure its economic future.”
Federal officials also praised the center in statements they issued Friday.
“Washington is already leading in carbon-fiber production. Now we want to lead in carbon-fiber recycling,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace.
“Port Angeles is leading the way, and the Department of Commerce grant will help this community solve some of the recycling challenges.”
Cantwell has proposed the Carbon Fiber Recycling Act of 2015 that could fund a pilot project that could be based at the Port Angeles facility if it is built.
Construction is expected to start this summer, with completion set for early 2016, according to port officials.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Bothell, said, “This investment in the composite recycling technology center will help support the port’s efforts to lay down a strong foundation for long-term economic growth and job creation that would benefit the community, the environment, and the local economy.”
And 6th District Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, said, “When the new facility opens its doors, it will help us grow quality jobs and show the rest of the nation how we can turn yesterday’s recycled parts into tomorrow’s advanced products.
“Everyone involved had their oars in the water, everyone rowed in the same direction. As a result, now we are seeing progress for the community.”
Kilmer partly referred to Port Angeles’ inclusion in the Washington Aerospace Manufacturing Community, which is administered by the Puget Sound Regional Council of Governments. This makes it one of two-dozen regions nationwide that receives preference for certain federal grants.
Build-out cost of the composites recycling center is estimated at $4.3 million.
The port has allocated $190,000 for its interior design.
Besides the county, state and federal grants, the port plans to seek another $1.35 million to equip the recycling center, which also will house Peninsula College’s advanced materials-composites classrooms and laboratories, plus start-up space for manufacturers.
The city of Port Angeles is providing planning and permitting support to the project.
The port has signed nondisclosure agreements both with suppliers of carbon-fiber scrap and with firms that plan to make items from the strong, lightweight material that is used in applications that include the Boeing Co.’s Dreamliner and BMW’s i3 automobile.
The recycling center would open with nine employees, and its workforce would grow to 111 within five years, according to port plans.
It also would spin off an estimated 89 manufacturing jobs within five years, the port said.
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Reporter James Casey can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jcasey@peninsuladailynews.com.
