Washington state's Port of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Schools broke ground January 8 on their 20-acre "Port Maritime Center" project, which will include a new business office for the port and house a maritime skills center.
The school side of the project will provide career and technical education to junior and senior-level high school students from across Pierce County, helping fill a growing need for workers in the maritime industry.
“The Port Maritime Center will be the new front door to the Port of Tacoma, allowing us to better connect with the community and bringing new life to the east side of the Foss Waterway,” said Port of Tacoma Commission President John McCarthy.
“Our unique partnership with Tacoma Public Schools makes this a transformational project that will help inspire and grow the future of the maritime industry in our region."
In November, both the Port of Tacoma Commission and the Tacoma Public Schools Board gave final approval for the project in unanimous votes.
The center will open to students in 2026, with the port business office opening in 2027.
Course offerings will include tracks in manufacturing, skilled trades, maritime sustainability, transportation, technology, and logistics. The programs will be available to students from across Pierce County free of charge.