Given the stagnation in wild fisheries production since the mid-1980s, aquaculture is the only viable alternative for providing the growing demand for seafood. The US lags in domestic aquaculture production and imports almost 90% of its seafood due to a variety of economic, environmental, technological, and regulatory constraints. As a result, the US misses opportunities for job development and diversification of its maritime and coastal industries. Integrated multitrophic aquaculture is an approach that combines species from different trophic levels together in one system to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and provide ecosystem services. The approach provides an opportunity to engage the public and seafood community in producing jobs as well as a reliable supply of local, fresh, seafood products. The project combines the expertise of spatial planners, aquaculturists, engineers, and educators to insure viability. The presentation describes the ongoing process for establishing the farm parameters, site, system specifications, permit, and community engagement through which an Aquafort integrated multitrophic aquaculture system is being developed and demonstrated in the coastal waters of Alabama.