Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll stopped by Island Wharf on May 22 to view the development of Marion’s new Maritime Center. During her tour, she got an inside look at the construction that will serve as the new headquarters for the town’s Harbormaster Department.
Marion Harbormaster Adam Murphy and Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao took Driscoll and multiple other officials throughout the project, walking up the steps to the lookout and beneath the hub.
In the visit to Marion, Driscoll, alongside state and local officials, spoke about the state Seaport Economic Council’s grant program, which provides funding to support waterfronts, local tourism, coastal resiliency and more across Massachusetts. According to Mass.gov, the SEC “helps coastal communities develop and improve local assets to improve economic growth.”
The Maritime Center project has received $1,600,000 in grant funding from the SEC. The existing Harbormaster facility is set to be demolished soon after construction is completed.
“Our administration is committed to putting every region and industry on a path towards prosperity,” said Driscoll in a ceremony at the site.
Marion is one of 78 coastal communities in Massachusetts benefiting from the program. Town Administrator Geoff Gorman said he was pleased to have received funding from the Healey-Driscoll administration.
“As a historical coastal community, these grant opportunities are pivotal to our smart growth and support the maintenance of our harbor resources,” said Gorman.
The grants are part of a $3,500,000 investment in the complete facility of a harbormaster’s office and maritime center with more space and efficiency used for waterways in the town.
Construction is projected to near completion in September.
By Jared Melanson