U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.2 Million to Support Commercial Fishing Industry in Kennebunkport, Maine
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.2 million grant to Kennebunkport, Maine, to support the region’s commercial fishing industry and ensure its resilience to storms and floods.
This investment will provide for the reconstruction of the Cape Porpoise commercial pier, supporting 55 fishing boats and local businesses displaced or impacted by severe storms and flooding. The EDA investment will be matched with $540,877 in local funds and is expected to retain 145 jobs.
“President Biden is committed to supporting communities as they develop safe and resilient infrastructure to serve local businesses and build a better America,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Kennebunkport will help create long-term resilience to future storms and floods, and support long-term job growth and business expansion in the region.”
“The Economic Development Administration works to ensure that disaster-impacted communities have the resources they need to recover and rebuild stronger,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will improve commercial infrastructure and help ensure the future competitiveness of the region’s commercial fishing sector.”
“This funding represents a critical investment in Maine’s working waterfront,” said Governor Janet Mills. “Kennebunkport’s fishing fleet and shorefront businesses are a vital part this southern Maine community’s economy and identity. They are also vulnerable to the impact of increasingly severe weather, and will greatly benefit from this investment in improved coastal infrastructure.”
“The commercial fishing industry is a cornerstone of Maine’s coastal communities. For generations, Maine’s fisheries have powered our state’s economy, supported a robust workforce, and shared a taste of Maine with millions around the globe. Rebuilding the Cape Porpoise commercial pier in Kennebunkport will strengthen these historic and important fisheries while securing the long-term resilience of the local industry and the communities that rely on it. This is a vital investment from the Economic Development Administration, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have in Southern Maine,” said Senator Susan Collins, Senator Angus King, and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) in a joint statement.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.