It’s official — the long-anticipated Industrial Development District is happening.

Port of Coupeville commissioners voted unanimously to create the district, or IDD, during their regular meeting Oct. 27, but that was only the first step toward generating revenue for the port.

Creating an IDD allows port districts to implement tax levies without voter approval, so long as the funds are put toward capital improvements. But the IDD won’t start bringing in dollars for the port until commissioners adopt an industrial development levy, which they plan to do next month.

In November, the port is also expected to formally update its Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements to detail the projects it intends to fund with the IDD levy. Public hearings for the comprehensive scheme updates and the 2022 draft budget will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1.

The port has identified more than $13 million of capital improvements to the Coupeville Wharf, Greenbank Farm and the collections building, of which the IDD levy is expected to fund about $7.5 million. Additional funding will come from grants, including state and potentially federal sources.

“This is one step in the direction of keeping the wharf above water, literally,” Commissioner David Day said of the vote to create the IDD.

Commissioners also expressed gratitude to the public for its support of the IDD.