Port of Everett receives prestigious awards for innovative sustainability efforts

The Port of Everett has earned international recognition for its economic and environmental achievements, receiving two prestigious awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2024. The Port was honoured with a Silver Award in Real Estate Development & Reuse for its Norton Terminal Development, and a Bronze Award in Innovative Economic Development for the Blue Heron Slough restoration project.

The $40-million Norton Terminal project involved the cleanup and redevelopment of a former mill site. This project transformed the property into a 40-acre (16-hectare) cargo terminal, nearly doubling the port's cargo capacity and supporting more than 950 jobs. The project also implemented advanced environmental controls and stormwater treatment, making it the first cargo terminal of its kind on the U.S. West Coast in over a decade.

The Blue Heron Slough project, a 353-acre (almost 143-hectare) restoration, focused on rehabilitating estuarine habitats to aid salmon and orca recovery in Puget Sound. This $20-million investment enhances biodiversity, water quality, and flood protection, demonstrating the port's commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Both projects highlight the port’s leadership in sustainable development and its transformative impact on the region.