📋 Tender Overview
Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Susan Collins today released the following statement after the University of Maine announced it has received full funding for Maine Sea Grant.After a February announcement from the Department of Commerce that the program was being defunded, Senator Collins contacted Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and the Trump administration to explain all that is at stake for Maine’s coastal communities with the loss of Sea Grant funding. At the urging of Senator Collins, Secretary Lutnick directed NOAA to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the work to be performed by Maine Sea Grant to ensure that it focuses on advancing Maine’s coastal economies, working waterfronts, and sustainable fisheries, and, this week, they received their funding.said Senator Collins.said UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy.Maine Sea Grant is a direct investment in Maine’s coastal communities, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and supporting fisheries and the seafood industry, including local businesses like Ready Seafood:said Curt Brown, lobsterman and marine biologist for Ready Seafood.Consistent with the original four-year agreement, the award made by the Commerce Department this week is for 1,499,374, which will be matched by 809,905 from non-federal sources, including industry and State research and development funding, over the next year. The Department will provide an additional 3,023,749 to Maine Sea Grant through Jan. 31, 2028, to be matched by 1,646,169.Maine Sea Grant contributed to 23.5 million in documented economic benefits in 2023 alone. For every 1 of funding, there’s a 15 return.Sea Grant has more than 700 established partnerships with businesses, researchers, community organizations, and local and county governments.In 2023, Sea Grant created or supported 332 businesses and 565 jobs.Sea Grant supports American seafood competitiveness by enhancing the sustainability and profitability of Maine’s 600 million lobster industry and growing aquaculture sector, helping maintain American leadership in global seafood markets.###Related IssuesJobs & EconomyEnergy & Environment
