Dakota Creek Industries continues to grow its skilled workforce and provides more than 400 jobs to the Anacortes community and Skagit County through such actions as reconfiguring its shipyard leased from the Port of Anacortes.

Because of that, the port recognized the shipbuilder as an Economic Development Partner and presented it with a 2009 Port Partner Award at the Waterfront Festival kick-off dinner May 15 at the port’s main warehouse.

The Partner Awards honor those entities, contractors, residents, tenants and organizations who partnered in service with the port to promote economic growth, environmental clean-up and strategic planning.

Others honored this year included the Washington State Department of Ecology, which was recognized as a Strategic Partner.

Ecology has been a valued port partner by helping to facilitate and provide funding for environmental cleanups on port property under the port’s Focus Fidalgo.

Marc L. Estvold, AIA, was presented with the Customer Service Partner Award for help in the creation of the port’s 2008 comprehensive plan.

Estvold brought his broad knowledge of planning and connection to the community and facilitated extensive outreach to the community while serving as project manager for the plan.

MAKERS Architecture and Urban Design was chosen as a Customer Service Partner also for its work in the creation of the comprehensive plan. MAKERS, and particularly partner Julie Bassuk, met with more than 150 community members, including boaters, business owners, neighbors, and Chamber of Commerce and city of Anacortes representatives during an 18-month period to produce a professional and workable plan.