Port of Port Angeles allocates funds to composites center

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles has approved an agreement fulfilling its $1.35 million commitment over three years to the Composite Recycling Technology Center.

The port Monday agreed to pay $732,911 to the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) plus more than $30,000 in in-kind services such as rent for the CRTC building labor, materials and equipment, use of the port’s meeting room and others.

This comes a month after the CRTC unveiled its first product, a recycled aerospace-quality carbon fiber pickleball paddle, which officials say is the first of many products the facility will produce as it works toward building a new industry and providing local jobs.

CRTC officials said Monday the nonprofit is still on track to have paddles available early this year.

So far, the CRTC has created 10 jobs.

Officials anticipate it will create 111 jobs within five years.

The proposed agreements require the CRTC to help the port in its goals set forth in the action plan for composite recycling economic and industrial development.

Those goals include development of additional CRTC productions and hiring a management team and critical staff.

This year, the CRTC is to provide quarterly progress updates and a report on the state of the recycled composites industry.

One of the hurdles the CRTC is facing now is developing machinery to process the carbon fiber that comes into it.

The CRTC is working with scraps that come in irregular shapes, said its CEO, Bob Larsen.

Officials have said the goal is to unveil more products this year. They have also told the Port of Port Angeles the CRTC would be self-sufficient by the end of 2017.

________

Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her father, Jack Ward of Port Angeles, works on his own paddle during a craft-making session on Friday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center in Port Angeles. The paddles are among the thousands of gifts being created for participants in the 2025 Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted this year by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The event begins with the landing of dozens of native canoes at the mouth of the Elwha River on July 31 and continues with five days of celebration on the Lower Elwha reservation west of Port Angeles. As many as 10,000 indigenous peoples are expected to take part. The public is invited to help with giftmaking sessions, scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Canoe paddle crafts

June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her… Continue reading

Ralph Henry Keil and Ginny Grimm.
Long lost sailor to be honored at graduation

An honorary diploma will be presented to the family of… Continue reading

Singers to workshop vocal instruments at Fort Worden

One hundred and fifty singers to join together in song

Jefferson County fire danger risk level to move to high

Designation will prohibit fireworks over Fourth of July weekend

Candidate forums to be presented next week

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County and… Continue reading

Port Townsend City Council candidate forum set for next month

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will… Continue reading

Jefferson County to host series of community conversations

Jefferson County will conduct a series of Community Conversations… Continue reading

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the Sequim Botanical Garden at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park at Carrie Blake Park on Wednesday in Sequim. Thornton, a volunteer gardener, was taking part in a work party to maintain the beauty of the garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rose display

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the… Continue reading

Electric rates see big increase

Jefferson proposal approved for 4-year hike

Clallam Transit to receive $4M in grants

Agency to use funds on Strait Shot and other routes

Port Angeles council OKs sidewalk near park

Applicants to receive grant funding for one-third of total cost