NEW BEDFORD – A $1.6 million grant has been awarded to New Bedford for design and engineering of its inner port, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development announced Friday.
The design will include commercial berths and navigational areas, which will be completed concurrently. The EOHED expects the phase to take 12 months. New Bedford will oversee administration of the funds.
“Our administration is committed to developing important assets that drive our regional economies and are pleased to partner with cities and towns to increase capacity at the local level,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “This investment in New Bedford Harbor underscores our dedication to strengthening the South Coast region and the local maritime economy.”
The EOHED said the governor’s office had been studying dredging needs across the state and that New Bedford is the state’s first step.
“New Bedford has made a strong business case that funding for berth dredging in the harbor will unlock significant private-sector investment and create hundreds of new jobs,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “I’m grateful to our close working relationship with the Baker-Polito administration in our effort to modernize the Port of New Bedford and to accelerate its growth.”
