In The News
Maritime industry focus of a Port Townsend visit
PORT TOWNSEND — U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer sat down with members of the city’s maritime sector and local government officials at the Port Townsend Yacht Club to discuss the centrality of the area’s marine industry sited at the Boat Haven Marina and Boat Yard owned by the Port of Port Townsend. Kilmer, who represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula, is sponsoring a $6.16 million Community Project Funding request to replace the failing … Continue Reading
August 03, 2023
New multi-mission dry dock at shipyard could start in three years, leaders say
BREMERTON — The construction of the Navy's new multi-mission dry dock at PSNS & IMF — the first dry dock that will be capable of docking the nation's newest Ford-class aircraft carriers — could start as early as Fiscal Year 2026, it was announced at a meeting this week. Currently, 15% of the new dock's design is complete, but specific plans on where in the shipyard would the dry dock be located are still pending to be finalized. On Wednesday afternoon, Capt. Brent Paul, … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
‘A Story of Shocking Function’ — Derek Kilmer Works to Fix Congress
Ten years ago, then-state legislator Derek Kilmer considered running for Congress to replace the retiring Norm Dicks (D-6th), but he had some reservations. “I was conscious that if I was successful, I was signing up for a 3,000-mile commute and my kids were 3 and 6,” Kilmer said. “The other con was that I was going to Congress, and I was kind of repelled by it. “Then I thought maybe that’s the reason to do it. Because it’s a mess and because I have kids and … Continue Reading
July 29, 2023
Grants aid food bank, firefighters
PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles Food Bank has received $81,500 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will use those funds to continue to support its market as well as regional food banks and pantries. It is among three beneficiaries of $256,000 in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to the Olympic Peninsula. Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue and Clallam Fire District 4 in Joyce received funding for equipment. “We received this funding to purchase equipment necessary for … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Kilmer leads pinning ceremony honoring Vietnam Veterans
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-6th District, and local veterans took part in a ceremony honoring veterans of the Vietnam War with pins at the American Legion Monday night. Dozens streamed in from the heavy rain as veterans of the conflict came up one by one to receive recognition, thanks and a commemorative pin from Kilmer and from County Commissioner Jill Warne. “Part of my job here tonight is not just to give you a pin but to thank you, to thank you for your service and thank you for your … Continue Reading
July 25, 2023
Rep. Kilmer visits West Fork Dam in Hoquiam; seeks funding for removal project
Prior to an event on Monday where Representative Derek Kilmer presented local Vietnam War era veterans with pins to commemorate their service, he was in the area meeting with officials to look at a project in Hoquiam. On Monday, July 24, Rep. Kilmer (WA-06) met with City of Hoquiam officials to discuss the Hoquiam West Fork Dam Removal and Drinking Water Supply Project. KXRO was on hand as Rep. Kilmer met with City Administrator Brian Shay and project staff to see the West Fork Dam … Continue Reading
July 18, 2023
Counties to file joint application for federal grant
Clallam and Jefferson county commissioners tentatively agreed to work together on a joint application for federal grants that will be available later this year in hopes that the cooperative effort will increase the region’s competitiveness. The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program — known as the Recompete Program — will provide $200 million for “interventions that spur economic activity in geographically diverse and persistently distressed communities,” … Continue Reading
July 12, 2023
Newhouse introduces legislation to support tribal law enforcement
Thursday Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Sharice Davids (R-KS) introduced the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act to improve hiring and increase retention for tribal law enforcement officers in order to better protect native communities and help address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIW). “Native tribes in Central Washington and across the nation are encountering significant barriers in recruiting and retaining law … Continue Reading
July 10, 2023
Measure eyes improvement of tribal law enforcement
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) are espousing the benefits of legislation that improves hiring and increase retention of tribal law enforcement officers. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, which would also better protect native communities and help address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIW). “Native tribes in Central Washington and across the nation are encountering significant barriers in … Continue Reading
July 06, 2023
'Game changer' $15 million Port Orchard breakwater project kicks off
(The Center Square) - Among the projects funded by the $104 billion federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Washington state is a replacement breakwater for the Port Orchard Marina, which begins construction this month. Although the $9.4 million federal funding for the $15 million project represents a fraction of the total spending, Gov. Jay Inslee referred to it at a Thursday press conference as a “game changer” due to the role the breakwater plays in local transportation, … Continue Reading
July 06, 2023
Buttigieg offers praise for PO breakwater project
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg made a brief stop in Port Orchard July 6 to champion the future work of replacing the marina’s breakwater and discuss what it means as a part of President Biden’s Invest in America. Buttigieg was accompanied by state Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Rep. Derek Kilmer, along with a slew of local officials to celebrate what he called an important investment by the federal government. “The former … Continue Reading
July 06, 2023
U.S. Sec. of Transportation Buttigieg talks new funding for Washington's ferry fleet
SEATTLE — There’s nothing quite like seeing Seattle’s skyline from the water. It’s a perk of riding the ferry to Bremerton. “I think people are jealous of us when we say we’re commuting by boat when they’re in cars,” said Kelly Chrey. She and her husband, Bryan, ride the ferry often. “Most of the time it’s pretty good, our frustration comes when they trade boats out and when boats are late,” said Kelly … Continue Reading
July 06, 2023
Ground broken for Habitat project
SEQUIM — Local and regional leaders joined with Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County volunteers Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Brownfield Road Project, one that looks to bring as many as 53 Habitat-built homes to the southeast corner of East Brownfield and South Sequim Avenue. The long-proposed effort got a boost recently from U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who was on hand for the ceremonial celebration. Kilmer has requested funding for the project … Continue Reading
July 06, 2023
Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Highlight Major Infrastructure Investments in Washington as Part of the Investing in America Tour
WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, July 6 and Friday, July 7, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will travel to Washington state to highlight major infrastructure projects as part of an example of how the Biden administration is investing in America and working to build the next generation of American infrastructure, while creating good paying jobs. On Thursday at 1:30 p.m. local time, after touring a ferry modernization project earlier in the day, Buttigieg will visit Port … Continue Reading
July 05, 2023
Biden And His Cabinet Embark on Cross-Country Tour to Sell ‘Bidenomics’
President Joe Biden and members of his Cabinet are hitting the road this week as part of a revamped attempt to pitch Americans on the administration's economic vision. The cross-country tour comes after Biden delivered a speech in Chicago outlining his economic accomplishments in office and his future plans, which the White House has called "Bidenomics." The president and his aides have framed the platform as an alternative to the "trickle-down" economics Republicans have offered. “You … Continue Reading
July 05, 2023
CHIPS Act Recompete Pilot Program Launches
Press Release Washington, DC – June 29, 2023 – The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today launched the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete) competition. Recompete was authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act and is a part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda, stimulating private sector investment, creating good-paying jobs, revitalizing … Continue Reading
July 03, 2023
$16 million grant to fund trail design in Kitsap, Clallam counties
PORT ANGLES — The City of Port Angeles, acting as the lead agency, has received a $16.13 million grant to design and plan a multi-use trail connecting Bainbridge Island to La Push. The grant comes from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program established by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Seattle, in 2009. Actual funding for construction will be sought after in the coming years. The City of Port Angeles, along with 12 other jurisdictions from … Continue Reading
July 01, 2023
Dash Air sets new date for Port Angeles flights
PORT ANGELES — Dash Air aims to hit the skies for charter flights later in July with commercial passenger flights beginning in August, barring more delays. The airline start-up has had a series of starts and stops in its goal to bring commercial air travel back between Port Angeles and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Dash Air President Clint Ostler said that the company is in the home stretch of finalizing the certification of its aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Your city could get millions to create jobs under a new Biden plan to put Americans back to work
The Biden administration wants to help inject life back into parts of the US that are struggling to attract enough jobs. Starting today, communities can apply for $200 million in funding, the first tranche of $1 billion that will roll out over the next five years. It's called the Recompete Pilot Program, and it's meant to pump funds into economically distressed areas. Those are regions that, according to the Economic Development Administration, have gaping prime age employment gaps … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Grays Harbor Transit awarded funding through Federal Transit Administration programs
Funding is coming to Grays Harbor Transit to improve their fleet. U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Washington State Department of Transportation will receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase transit vehicles and a bus washing system for Grays Harbor Transit Authority to replace aging buses. The funding for Grays Harbor Transit Authority is part of a $3.3 million allocation to the Washington State Department of … Continue Reading