For Immediate Release

Kenneth W. Attebery
Port of Bremerton
(360) 674-2381 x 21
kena@portofbremerton.org
www.portofbremerton.org

On March 6, 2008 the Port took a substantive step forward with one of the Bremerton Port Commission’s four due diligence steps in its review of the Kitsap SEED project. One of the conditions set down last week by the Commission was that relationships and partnerships be established with research universities.

A meeting scheduled by the Port several weeks ago was held in Bremerton that brought together, the states two research universities, Washington State University and University of Washington Tacoma; Olympic College; Bainbridge Graduate Institute; Bremerton School District represented by the West Sound Technical Skills Center; Kitsap County; and the Port.

Discussions led by Port Commissioner Bill Mahan focused on two points, 1) a sharing of how these institutions were incorporating sustainability, entrepreneurship and our nation’s energy challenges into their programs, and 2) how Kitsap SEED and the institutions could be mutually supportive in these efforts and the economic development of Kitsap.

All of the participants have previously expressed their support of the SEED project and many have assisted at various times over the last three years with the design of SEED, its facilities and programs. One of the fundamental components of the SEED Project is to institutionalize in SEED a presence of higher education and its research capabilities, and workforce development. New companies require, and expect, their communities to have quick response in these two areas as they commercialize and grow jobs. Port Commissioner BillMahan commented in the kickoff that, "Wehave known and planned all along thatintegration of higher education, research, and workforce training into SEED’s sustainable practices program is critical for project success."

Comments madeby representatives of WSU and UoW Tacoma implied that they stand ready to engage at new levels with the SEED project and that the local WSU Extension office can act as a quick means to bring the resources of the university to bear. JohnGardner, VPfor Economic Development and Extension, stated “those resources are developed by the university’s various programs at any of its venues across the state and can quickly be brought to the local community through its extension offices like the one located in Bremerton”.

In answer to a question from Commissioner Bauer about establishing laboratory facilities in Kitsap, both Gardner and Fry responded favorably. Andrew Fry of the UoW Tacoma’s Institute of Technology commented that, “the UoW Tacoma is taking steps toward the establishment of an energy systems engineering graduate program and field lab locations for research and testing were certainly possible in Kitsap and that improvements in transportation and data communication make this very feasible.”

David Mitchell of Olympic College remarked that “where OC is best prepared to influence the advancement of Kitsap SEED is through its workforce training and professional technical programs. OC can be very quick in responding to industries needs for worker training.”

Important to advancing the due diligence review the Port Commission has called for, individuals representing WSU and UoW Tacoma were identified with which Port staff will work to update and expand the existing agreements and support documents each had previously executed in order to further the partnerships.

At the end of the discussion, both Gardner and Fry committed to taking steps toward furthering existing partnership agreements committing higher education to the SEED Project. "This fits perfectly with the recently mandated requirement for higher education and research commitments to the SEED Project in order for us to respond to the Commission’s due diligence steps" stated Port Chief Executive Officer Ken Attebery.

In attendance were:

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