University of Massachusetts Amherst: UMass Amherst Celebrates $400,000 Investment in Gloucester Marine Station, North Shore Economy with Leading Regional Officials
University of Massachusetts Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and government leaders at the federal, state and local levels gathered at the Gloucester Marine Station to announce $400,000 in federal and state funding to support the station’s North Shore Blue Economy initiative and its operations.
The commonwealth’s FY23 budget includes $200,000 in support of operations at the Gloucester Marine Station, while an additional $200,000 will support phase 2 of the station’s North Shore Blue Economy Initiative, an effort to work closely with state, federal, nonprofit, business and research institutions to help develop a comprehensive, regional and resilient economic development strategy to capitalize on new and emerging opportunities in the blue economy.
Subbaswamy thanked Gov. Charlie Baker, his administration and the state Legislature for their support, as well as federal, state and local officials in attendance, including Congressman Seth Moulton, State Sen. Bruce Tarr, State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Gloucester Mayor Gregory Verga.
“Having spent my professional life at research universities, I have seen various versions of research hubs sometimes succeed and sometimes fail,” Subbaswamy said. “And I have learned that a common denominator in successful ventures is collaborative engagement with the community. We are immensely grateful to the people of Gloucester for the opportunity to fulfill this part of our promise to the commonwealth, and we look forward to continuing the partnership.”
Tarr emphasized the strong partnerships formed between state and local government, industry and higher education institutions to not only continue but expand the station’s work.
“This resource is important to the commonwealth and the country” for its work in sustainability, resilience, and renewable energy, Tarr said.
Katie Kahl, assistant extension professor of sustainable fisheries and coastal resilience and leader of the North Shore Blue Economy initiative, spoke of the 300 partners involved in creating Phase 1 of the “North Shore Blue Economy Phase I Findings and Vision Forward” report and the work that will take place under Phase 2.
“There are really exciting things on the horizon,” Kahl said, with new funding helping to enable the creation of a new dock that will serve as an example of resilient coastal design and engineering.
“We’re turning broken concrete into teaching and research space,” she said.