New Bedford 360 - http://www.newbedford360.com/articles
Millions in Port Funding Headed to New Bedford
http://www.newbedford360.com/articles/articles/476/1/Millions-in-Port-Funding-Headed-to-New-Bedford/Page1.html
Elizabeth Treadup (Mayor's Office)
 
By Elizabeth Treadup (Mayor's Office)
Published on 04/1/2008
 
Gloucester, Massachusetts - On Tuesday, April 1, 2008, Mayor Scott W. Lang, as a member of the Governor’s Seaport Council announced that New Bedford has secured $5,615,000 for projects vital to both the economic development and the security of the Port of New Bedford.  
$5,615,000 Approved for New Bedford Port Development Projects

Gloucester, Massachusetts - On Tuesday, April 1, 2008, Mayor Scott W. Lang, as a member of the Governor’s Seaport Council announced that New Bedford has secured $5,615,000 for projects vital to both the economic development and the security of the Port of New Bedford.   The Governor’s Seaport Council, an advisory board to the Governor for Port Development projects, convened a meeting at Gloucester’s new cruise terminal, “Cruiseport,” to award funds to coastal communities for port development projects.  Lt. Governor Timothy Murray chairs the Council and led today’s meeting.  The funding awarded to the Port of New Bedford comes from a $300 million legislative bond bill.

“I extend our full appreciation to the Patrick/Murray Administration, our legislative delegation, and fellow members of the Seaport Council for their support today,” stated Mayor Scott W. Lang.  “The projects authorized by the Council will improve navigational channels in the Port that are critical to sustaining New Bedford’s number-one ranked fishing port and expanding trade activity.  The addition of a first-class fireboat to the Port significantly enhances our ability to prevent and mitigate fire threats and better equips our first responders in life threatening situations.”

 “This state investment will help maintain the lifeblood of our local economy, the marine industries, while helping to expand the commercial capacity of our ever-growing waterfront,” said Senator Mark Montigny, Chairman of the Senate Bonding Committee and a co-author of the Seaport Bond Bill.  “The port is the engine for New Bedford’s dynamic economy and is the gateway to our cities prosperity.”

$5.5 million was voted for the construction of cellular aquatic disposal (CAD) cells and navigational dredging to support the commercial maritime industries of New Bedford and Fairhaven. 

$75,000 was awarded to upgrade a fully equipped fireboat donated to the Port of New Bedford by the Boston Fire Department.  Improvements to the vessel include general repair and painting, maintenance on the plumbing system, and engine work.

$40,000 was approved by the Council to remove a sunken vessel that interferes with navigation and the mooring field in the southern part of the Harbor, in front of the Gifford Street Public Boat Ramp Facility. 

“With the official vote in tact, we look forward to allocating funds to capital investments that promise to give the Port a competitive edge and better protect the working waterfront,” stated Kristin Decas, Executive Director of the Harbor Development Commission.