Newport News receives $640,994 grant to expand Seafood Industrial Park

The city was awarded a $640,994 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to support design work for a seafood market, as well as dock improvements and dredging design at the head of the Seafood Industrial Park.

The park, which the City of Newport News owns, is one of the nation’s premier seafood harbors and an essential part of the city’s economy. It is home to many seafood and other water-dependent companies.

Newport News Department of Development Director Florence Kingston said design work would begin later this year and wrap up in early 2024. She said until that is complete, the square footage and cost of the seafood market won’t be determined. Some early ideas for the market include kiosks, restaurants and a hall where vendors could sell seafood.

The city will supplement the investment with an additional $200,000.

Kingston said the project would be a significant asset to the community and help create and preserve jobs. She said people tend to like their seafood to be “as fresh as possible” and the market would allow for that.

She said the market would also provide entrepreneurship opportunities for people in the seafood industry.

Derek Perry, assistant director of Newport News’s department of development, said the seafood market and dock improvements feed into the city’s broader efforts to revitalize the southern side of Newport News.

Kingston said she expects construction on the projects to begin next year, with the seafood market likely being completed in late 2024 and the dock improvements ready in 2025.

The industrial park provides full-service accommodations to the seafood industry. In the past decade, the park has consistently been among the top 10 markets nationally for the value of seafood landed. In addition, Kingston estimates that the park brings in over a $1 million in tax revenue each year.

Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com