PORT ANGELES — A new maritime industry initiative will be the topic of the keynote speaker for the Clallam Economic Development Corporation 2019 annual gala Friday.

Joshua Berger, the state Department of Commerce’s maritime sector lead, will talk about the state’s Maritime Blue program at the gala at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club 2843 E. Myrtle St.

Tickets available

The gala will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $50 or EDC member and $65 for non-members. Some are still available at the EDC website at www.clallam.org, said Julie Knott, interim executive director of the EDC.

Initiative announced

Also speaking at the gala will be Chris Green, assistant director of the state Department of Commerce, who will provide a welcome address, Knott said.

“They really want to help us with sustainability,” Knott said.

The Maritime Blue 2050 initiative was announced Tuesday in Seattle.

This is the first talk that Berger will offer to members of the public since that time, according to Knott.

“Joshua is announcing the first initiative of its kind in the U.S. to bolster innovations in the maritime industry,” Knott said.

The initiative aims to work toward sustainable maritime innovation, workforce development and deep de-carbonization, according to the website at www. maritimefederation.com/blue.html.

“The goal is a sustainable maritime industry by 2050,” Knott said.

To register for the gala and for more information, see the EDC website at www.clallam.org.

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Terry Ward, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum, serves on the Economic Development Corp. board of directors.