Port of New Bedford
On August 26, the Baker-Polito Administration announced more than $7.8 million in Seaport Economic Council grants to support 17 projects across the Commonwealth. Through these grants, the Seaport Economic Council (SEC) will help coastal communities capitalize on their unique assets to advance economic growth, create jobs, and prepare for the impacts of climate change. The grants were approved at a virtual meeting of the Seaport Economic Council chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
Governor Charlie Baker said, “Our administration is pleased to make these new investments through the Seaport Economic Council to strengthen the potential that exists in the waterfronts and maritime sectors of the Commonwealth’s coastal communities. This grant funding and these local partnerships will be important as cities and town plan for their economic futures while adjusting to a changing climate.”
Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Chair of the Council, said, “The Seaport Economic Council is proud to award nearly $8 million in grants to support 17 projects that will help coastal communities plan for the future, especially as they work to respond to the effects of the pandemic. From critical infrastructure upgrades to programming for urban youth, these grants are investments in a Commonwealth and a workforce on the rise.”
The SEC provides grant funding to eligible coastal communities and other entities in support of innovative ideas and projects that promote job creation and economic growth, transformative public-private partnerships, educational opportunities for young people, local economic development planning efforts, and coastal infrastructure improvements. The projects supported in this round range from major infrastructure projects in New Bedford, Fall River, and Yarmouth, to planning grants that will help South Shore communities like Cohasset and Kingston prepare for economic development and climate change, respectively. Additionally, the Seaport Economic Council continues its support for programming that exposes young people in urban neighborhoods to maritime careers and puts them on a path to continuing education.
Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy said, “As we transition from reopening to recovery, we continue to look for ways that the Commonwealth can help communities and key industries come out stronger on the other side, and these Seaport Economic Council grants are an important part of that effort. We will continue to partner with municipalities to ensure they have the resources, technical assistance, and infrastructure to meet current challenges and succeed in the future.”
Since its relaunch by the Baker-Polito Administration in 2015, the Seaport Economic Council has invested over $52 million through 113 grants in 47 coastal communities, funding projects ranging from local priorities to shared Commonwealth-wide initiatives. Investments in coastal communities are crucial to growing Massachusetts’ economy, promoting public safety, and encouraging environmental protection and stewardship. The Baker-Polito Administration will continue to provide resources and programs, like Seaport Economic Council grants and Massachusetts Dredging Program awards, to ensure that coastal communities can improve, strengthen, and safeguard the Commonwealth’s unique coastal assets.
Seaport Economic Council Grant Recipients
City of Revere – RiverFront Masterplan $100,000
FRRA & City of Fall River, City Pier Phase 3, $1,000,000
City of Gloucester and Fishing Partnership Support Services, $170,000
Mass Maritime Academy, Aquaculture and Marine Science Laboratory Facilities and Technologies Update, $990,000
New Bedford Port Authority, North Terminal Expansion, Pier Repairs & Fendering, $1,000,000.
Roxbury Community College and College Bound Dorchester, Bringing the Seaport to the Community: A pathway from gangs to a new maritime future, $300,000
Town of Chatham, 90 Bridge Street Facility Design & Permitting Phase 1, $295,000
Town of Cohasset, Government Island Wharf, $160,000
Town of Cohasset, Parker Avenue Boat Ramp, $170,000
Town of Fairhaven, Union Wharf Feasibility Study, $50,000
Town of Gosnold, Cuttyhunk Visitor Welcome Center, $425,000
Town of Kingston and Jones River Watershed Association, Resilience plan for the Jones River Landing Environmental Heritage Center, $120,000
Town of Marblehead, Municipal Harbor Plan, $52,000
Town of Oak Bluffs, North Bluff Redevelopment, $1,000,000
Town of Salisbury, Salisbury Beach Welcome Center, $1,000,000
Town of Somerset, Municipal Harbor and DPA Master Plan, $38,972
Town of Yarmouth, Riverwalk Park construction, $1,000,000
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