- Executive Office of Economic Development
Media Contact
Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $1 million in grants to Barnstable County and the Town of Edgartown through the Massachusetts Dredging Program’s Regional Equipment Grant Round, the first grant round to offer focused funding to coastal municipalities for the purchase and regional operation of dredging equipment. The Dredging Program awards grants on a competitive basis with a focus on projects that support the economic vitality, tourism, and ecosystem health of Massachusetts’s harbors while helping the state reach its ambitious climate resiliency goals.
“Massachusetts’ coastal communities are vital to the state’s economy, attracting and supporting thousands of visitors, fisherman, and commercial vessels each year,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This Earth Week, we are excited to announce grants to help Cape and Islands communities purchase necessary equipment that will allow them to preserve and expand coastal harbors and invest in the commercial and recreational businesses that are key to their economic vitality."
"As a former mayor of a coastal community, I know firsthand how important working waterfronts are to our local and regional economies, yet dredging projects continue to be challenging for municipalities to tackle on their own,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to ensuring cities and towns have the resources, equipment, and support they need to take on important saltwater dredging projects along our shores.”
“For Massachusetts to have a healthy economy, we need all communities and all industries to thrive, including the working waterfronts that are the heart of our state’s maritime economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The grants we’re announcing today will support Barnstable County and Edgartown dredging projects by helping them purchase barges, workboats, and other machinery necessary to improve their harbors for the benefit of businesses and fisherman that depend on them.”
Equipment procured through these awards will strengthen and expand regional dredging services currently operated by Barnstable County and Edgartown. Planned purchases include a booster barge, two workboats, a survey boat, two skiffs, and two earth-moving machines. This equipment will increase the accuracy, reliability, and speed of the communities’ existing dredging operations, helping them to reach more harbors and meet greater demand each season.
Together, the Barnstable County and Edgartown dredging programs support 18 communities and 94 harbors on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. In 2019, commercial fisheries landings in these communities totaled nearly $78 million, with $42.1 million generated from commercial shell fishing alone. That same year, domestic tourism in Barnstable and Dukes counties generated almost $1.3 billion in direct spending and supported about 10,900 jobs in the coastal region.
"Dredging projects are critical for economic development in the cities and towns along Massachusetts’ shorelines," said Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba. “With today’s grants, the Massachusetts Dredging Program has invested more than $20 million in state resources and leveraged an additional $26 million in matching funds to advance key saltwater public dredging projects in our coastal communities."
“Life on the Cape and Islands is intrinsically linked to the sea that surrounds us, and the sustainability of our economy relies on maintaining the harbors that connect us to this essential resource,” said State Senator Julian Cyr. “I’m delighted that Barnstable County and Edgartown have been awarded funds by EOHED to support dredging programs to the benefit of our communities and marine industries.”
“Our connection to the ocean runs deep on the Cape and Islands, and the Blue Economy supports thousands of jobs in our district. I’m grateful for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development’s commitment to supporting coastal communities,” said State Representative Dylan Fernandes. “This funding will help enhance and sustain one of our most important economic assets by improving water quality and navigation, while also protecting our coastlines by encouraging beach nourishment.”
Both the Barnstable County and Edgartown dredging programs have been in operation for more than 25 years. Between FY21-22, the programs collectively removed over 262,000 cubic yards of material. Nearly all material removed was used for the restoration or preservation of public beaches.
With this latest round of grants, since 2019, the Massachusetts Dredging Program has awarded more than $20 million for 30 public projects, tapping into more than $26 million in matching funds. Projects have expanded or preserved the use of more than 8,000 moorings and dockage slips, and navigation for more than 900 commercial vessels. Projects also supported the livelihoods of more than 75 commercial boatyards, marinas, and other harbor-dependent businesses. An estimated one third of all dredged material was beneficially reused for the nourishment of public beaches. An additional 10 grants, totaling almost $3.6 million, were awarded through a pilot round in 2018.
The 2023 annual grant round of the Massachusetts Dredging Program is currently open. Applications due May 5, 2023. All Massachusetts coastal municipalities are eligible to apply to the Dredging Program. A minimum 50 percent non-state match is required for any application to be considered. Learn more at mass.gov/massachusetts-dredging-program.
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