Commission part of $1.2M Blue Economy Project

The Cape Cod Commission is partnering with the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD), to strengthen the Marine Science and Technology cluster on the Cape and the South Coast.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $600,000 grant to the UMass Dartmouth to support development of a formal Massachusetts Science and Technology Cluster Alliance.

Among other things, the project will fund a comprehensive study and analysis of the marine science and technology sectors to further job creation, business and industrial expansion, as well as exporting of goods.

The Commission will receive $75,000 over three years to provide data and technical support for the grant. All matching funds for the $1.2 million total project cost will be covered by UMass Dartmouth.

The project will bring together relevant regional institutions, businesses and academia to strengthen workforce training, facilitate technology innovation, and expand export opportunities for Marine Science & Technology businesses. Expanding this business cluster is seen as an opportunity to ensure a balanced, sustainable economy with year-round, livable wage employment.

EDA grants are awarded to designated Economic Development Districts through a competitive process based upon applications merit, eligibility, and availability of funds.

Through the work of the Commission, Barnstable County was designated an Economic Development District by the U.S. EDA in 2013. EDA funds the Cape Cod Commission and the Southeast Regional Planning District to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.