Baker-Polito: $4M for enhancing maritime economy

The Baker-Polito Administration has announced more than $3.8 million in Seaport Economic Council Grants to support nine projects in eight communities.

These grants will help advance the Seaport Economic Council’s mission of providing support for working waterfronts, local tourism, coastal resilience, maritime innovation, and the Commonwealth’s robust Blue Economy.

The grants were approved by the Seaport Economic Council, chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, at yesterday’s virtual meeting. 
 
“Our administration is proud to invest a total of $57 million in the Commonwealth’s unique maritime assets, supporting a wide variety of projects located in more than half of our coastal communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. 

“From modernizing infrastructure to improving resiliency and expanding capacity, these investments ensure that our coastal assets will continue to support our maritime industries and position these key sectors for success long into the future.” 

This round of grants also includes more than $465,000 in awards for the design of an environmentally sound solution for the disposal of dredging material, testing the health of shellfish harvesting areas, and the expansion of an innovative platform that supports the development of ocean sensing technology.
 
Today, Lt. Governor Polito also formally announced the opening of this year’s round of the Massachusetts Dredging Program. Established to promote the strength and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s coastal harbors and Blue Economy, the Dredging Program awards grants on a competitive basis, with a focus on shovel-ready projects that contribute to the economic vitality, recreational value, public safety, and resilience of coastal harbors.