Amory Seafood gets $247,000 grant from state program

Oct. 30, 2024 - Hampton-based Amory Seafood has received a state grant for $247,000 that will allow the company to increase its processing capacity and purchase more blue catfish from local watermen, supporting local economic growth.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin's office announced today that Amory, a Hampton institution for more than a century, has been awarded the reimbursable grant through the Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program. The program supports the fishery industry around the state and helps to remove an invasive species from Virginia's waters.

"On behalf of everyone at Amory Seafood, I thank Governor Youngkin, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the city of Hampton for this grant funding," CEO Meade Amory said. "Once complete, this expansion will enhance our processing capacity, and improve quality and marketability of our products. We will also be in a better position to support local watermen and reduce the number of invasive blue catfish which helps to protect native Chesapeake Bay species."

Amory Seafood has been operated by the same family for four generations. It harvests, processes and distributes seafood across the East Coast and other parts of the U.S. The funding will allow Amory to implement a modern quick freezer and essential packing equipment in its Hampton facility.

"The city of Hampton commends Amory Seafood as it begins this expansion and as it promises substantial economic benefits for Hampton and the surrounding Chesapeake Bay region," Mayor Donnie Tuck said. "This project builds on Hampton's longstanding seafood heritage, creates new full-time jobs, injects an estimated $1.5 million annually directly into the local fishing community, and increases business for logistics and transportation services."

For the past decade, Amory Seafood has been processing wild-caught blue catfish, working with approximately 20 local watermen. The blue catfish is a stable but unwanted and invasive population, and harvesting them offers a sustainable source of revenue for commercial watermen.

In announcing the grant, Gov. Youngkin said: "I congratulate Amory Seafood on this expansion as this project helps to increase processing capacity of the invasive blue catfish, provide additional market opportunities for Virginia watermen, and boost the Commonwealth's seafood industry's economic impact which was over $1.1 billion in 2019."

The Governor's Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Fund was established during the 2023 General Assembly session to address the overpopulation of the blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. It is part of a larger effort by state agencies to address the overpopulation by incentivizing the harvest of an abundant, inexpensive fish.

State Senator Mamie Locke said: "Amory Seafood has been in the Hampton community for over 100 years. It is pleasing to see a local business expand to new market opportunities, provide economic stimulus to the surrounding community and industry, and provide positive environmental impacts."

Delegate Jeion Ward added: "I congratulate Amory Seafood on this expansion and investment in the Hampton community."