Seaport Economic Council Overview

The Seaport Economic Council advances the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s support for communities and residents across the state by leveraging unique economic assets to drive sustainable regional growth.

The Seaport Economic Council was re-launched in August 2015, with a mission to deepen the maritime economy, promote economic development, and support resilient infrastructure in all 78 of Massachusetts’ coastal communities while preparing them to engage with the challenges posed by sea level rise and increasingly powerful coastal storms. The council’s capital grant program supports working waterfronts, local tourism, coastal resiliency, and maritime innovation, from the North Shore to Cape Cod and the South Coast.  Since August 2015, the Seaport Economic Council has invested over $40 million in the Commonwealth’s coastal communities. 

Mission

The Seaport Economic Council helps coastal communities develop and improve local assets to facilitate economic growth. The Seaport Economic Council serves all 78 of Massachusetts’ diverse coastal communities and helps each to use their unique economic assets to grow the economy and unlock job creation. The Council also awards grants to create jobs and build resilience to climate change.

The purpose of this program is to cultivate job creation and economic growth in the maritime sector. The program is open to all 78 coastal communities of the Commonwealth and other qualified public entities. Preference will be given to those applications that demonstrate collaboration and joint applications are encouraged from entities with a proven track record in maritime sector strategy, maritime economic development, and the development of economically supportive and resilient coastal assets in a sustainable fashion. Grant funds are eligible solely for construction of physical improvements and other capital expenses.  

Non-Profit Partnerships: In some cases, a municipality may partner with a non-profit entity on a project proposal.  In such cases, grant funds will be awarded to the municipality.  A joint project proposal should clearly indicate which elements of the project will be funded by the municipality and the extent of public access.  Joint applicants should be aware that the use of municipal funding may subject all or a portion of the project to public bidding laws and other requirements applicable to public construction projects. 

Executive Order

Read the Executive Order establishing the Seaport Economic Council:

Additional Resources

Executive Order No. 587

Approximate Timetable: 2019-2021

Approximate Timetable – 2019-2021

The Seaport Economic Council meets at least three times per year. Two of the meetings focus on investment opportunities, while the third focuses on discussion of policy and future opportunities..

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however there are deadlines for consideration at specific SEC meetings.

For consideration at the February 2020 Investment meeting of the Seaport Economic Council, applications must be received by Nov. 1, 2019.

For consideration at the August 2020 Investment meeting of the Seaport Economic Council, applications must be received by May 1, 2020.

For consideration at the February 2021 Investment meeting of the Seaport Economic Council, applications must be received by Nov. 1, 2020.

For consideration at the August 2021 Investment meeting of the Seaport Economic Council, applications must be received by May 1, 2021.

Communities Served

North Shore: Amesbury, Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Lynn, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Peabody, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, and Swampscott

Boston Harbor: Boston, Braintree, Chelsea, Everett, Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, and Winthrop

South Shore: Cohasset, Duxbury, Hanover, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, and Scituate

Cape Cod and Islands: Aquinnah, Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Chilmark, Dennis, Eastham, Edgartown, Falmouth, Gosnold, Harwich, Mashpee, Nantucket, Oak Bluffs, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Tisbury, Truro, Wellfleet, West Tisbury, and Yarmouth

South Coastal: Acushnet, Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Wareham, and Westport