March 28, 2025
By Maddie Gard, WSG Science Communications Fellow
Washington’s maritime industries have long shaped our coastal communities, economies and cultures. Today, the maritime sector is facing complex regulatory frameworks, the consolidation of industries, the graying of the fleet, and changing climate conditions, which are presenting economic challenges for coastal communities at large. In response, industry and community leaders are seeking to bolster marine-based economies through prioritizing thriving working waterfronts and workforce development as well as sustainable commercial fishing, aquaculture, and other marine sectors.
Jessika Tantisook at the Port of Ilwaco as part of the Peer to Pier Sea Grant gathering on fisheries and aquaculture
For the past year, Jessika Tantisook has been a leader in this work as the first Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Economic Recovery Corps fellow, supporting innovative projects that sustain and grow the maritime economies of Washington’s Pacific coast.
Launched in 2023 through a $30 million partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the two-year Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellowship aims to connect skilled fellows with host organizations to foster economic resilience in their local communities. Around the country, the first cohort of 65 fellows are working to build capacity at the local level, connecting communities with resources and expertise to develop their economic visions, create action plans, secure funding, and implement strategies for long-term success. Fellows come with significant professional experience (6-15+ years) across a variety of sectors including planning, entrepreneurship, community and economic development, public administration, marketing, rural development, and more.
At WSG, Tantisook is leading the Coastal Opportunities, Resilience, and Livelihoods (CORaL) initiative to meet the unique needs of Washington’s Pacific coastal communities. CORaL is a unique umbrella initiative comprising multiple goals and partnerships. Amongst the key projects underway, Tantisook has been focused on developing a new business incubator to support maritime entrepreneurs; establishing a small boat pull-out and repair facility; exploring the potential of a marine trade center and dry dock; expanding tribal shellfish aquaculture initiatives; and providing job training, entrepreneurial skills, and trade certifications for the maritime workforce. Tantisook has lived on the Washington coast and worked in economic development for over a decade. She has experience starting and operating an organic food processing business called Starvation Alley Farms, building a regional food hub, and developing equity-focused programming to support small businesses. For five years, she was the executive director of the nonprofit North Coast Food Web, where she led the creation of its first strategic plan and helped to grow its food hub operations into a pillar of the Columbia-Pacific region’s local food economy.
Each day of the fellowship has involved a variety of collaborations and projects with partners. Tantisook travels regionally to visit community partners in person, give presentations, and support projects located in South Bend, Tokeland, Aberdeen, and broader Pacific County. Since February 2024, Tantisook has been working directly with partners and stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and providing technical support to move projects forward. Her fellowship has helped to solidify strong partnerships and refine project objectives with the Shoalwater Bay Tribal Enterprise, Port of Port Angeles, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, Pacific County Economic Development Council, Port of Willapa Harbor, and Greater Grays Harbor Inc. “Relationship building is such an important part of community development and the work. It’s about being patient, adaptable and listening to the community’s priorities,” she says.
The Pacific coast near Ilwaco, Washington
The ERC Fellowship aims to pair fellows with communities they themselves have roots in. Tantisook has lived in Ilwaco, Washington since 2008, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in regional food systems, small business support, and strategic economic planning to her position. Because much of economic development is rooted in community development, bridging communication is a core part of Tantisook’s work as she listens actively and responds to the needs of partners. She explains it’s only possible to move transformative projects forward “at the speed of trust” between stakeholders. She notes that WSG has been a great host organization by connecting her with community contacts and helping her to build relationships, navigate roadblocks, and support CORaL project objectives. One of her most rewarding projects has been small business support systems infrastructure. As a previous small business owner of an organic food processing organization herself, she feels passionately about connecting entrepreneurs with resources such as small-business incubators and online professional development and continuing education opportunities.
Kevin Decker, WSG coastal economist and Tantisook’s fellowship supervisor, applied to the ERC Fellowship program on behalf of the organization and has been closely involved in developing and facilitating CORaL initiatives. “This fellowship provides support for communities to create a vision, develop a plan, help secure resources, and begin executing their vision. In the first year, we have developed strong relationships with project partners. Each project is progressing at its own pace, but significant strides have been made,” Decker says.
The ERC Fellowship is more than just a program—it represents a new era of economic development focused on collaboration, innovation, and long-term resilience. By investing in capacity-building and leadership development, CORaL and the ERC initiative are paving the way for a stronger, more sustainable maritime economy for Washington’s Pacific coastal communities.
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Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, helps people and marine life thrive through research, technical expertise and education supporting the responsible use and conservation of coastal ecosystems. Washington Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer.
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MAR
2025