Port of Virginia: $1M for Regional Waterfront Projects

The Port of Virginia has approved $1 million in grant awards to eight Virginia localities to upgrade their local ports and waterfront parks, repair and maintain local maritime assets and  spur waterfront development.

“Localities throughout the Commonwealth can apply for funding through The Port of Virginia’s Aid to Local Ports Program. The budget for the annual program is $1 million, which is allocated among the recipients,” said Port of Virginia in its release.

“Funds can be used for projects including dock replacement and similar projects, terminal development, dredging and other various repairs and services and commercial development along the waterfront.”

At its regularly-scheduled board meeting held May 23, the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners awarded these funds to the recipients based on need and urgency, total cost of the project, the timeline and proposed phases and the forecasted impact on the community.

The grants awarded are as follows:

• City of Hampton: $50,000 for downtown commercial fishing pier improvements;
• City of Newport News: $404,627 for outer harbor repairs and modifications to the seafood industrial park;
• City of Norfolk: $82,500 for an ADA-accessible kayak/canoe/paddleboard launch area at Plum Point Park;
• City of Poquoson: $202,125 for construction of a second breakwater at Messick Point;
• City of Richmond: $81,848 for development the Intermediate Terminal project;
• City of Portsmouth: $109,650 for development of Portside and $25,000 for Paradise Creek Nature Park;
• Town of Wachapreage: $38,000 for maintenance and repair at the Town Marina;
• Northampton County: $26,250 for repairs to Morley’s Wharf boat ramp.