MaineDOT Awards Nearly $1 Million to Coastal Communities

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is awarding nearly one million dollars ($960,700) in grants to 21 coastal cities and towns under the Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP). 

The Small Harbor Improvement Program supports approximately 18,000 licensed commercial fishermen and related industries along the Maine coast that increasingly rely on these public facilities for access to resources. With coastal real estate pressures forcing changes away from public ownership, SHIP protects a dwindling public asset through a successful state/local partnership.  Examples of successful initiatives under this program include pier reconstructions, float installations, boat ramp rehabilitations, new hoist installations and gangway replacements.

“This represents a major effort by MaineDOT and Maine municipalities to improve and protect working waterfronts while at the same time promoting sound economic development and public access along the coast,” Transportation Commissioner David Cole explained. 

Funds for the SHIP grants were authorized by the legislature and approved by Maine voters through a transportation bond referendum in June of 2007. These grants require a local cash match of between 25-75%.  Therefore, the total program effort is expected to exceed $2.78 million. 

“Working waterfronts are the heart of our coastal communities. These funds ensure that not only jobs but our coastal Maine traditions will continue for generations to come,” said Governor John Baldacci.

Since 1995, six previous rounds of SHIP awards have dispersed $5.7 million to 62 different coastal municipalities totaling 112 projects. Without this program, municipalities would likely forsake such important projects or be forced to carry out the project with only local resources. The program enjoys widespread support from coastal municipalities and statewide commercial fishing and marine interests.

“We are very pleased by this continued level of interest in the Small Harbor Improvement Program.  The grant applications reflected a continuing need for cities and towns to address public waterfront infrastructure such as wharves, floats, boat ramps and piers,” Cole continued. 

An inter-agency committee composed of representatives from five state agencies selected the successful projects based upon criteria that included the economic impact of the project, the thoroughness of the application and the ability of the project to be carried out in a timely manner.

In addition, the committee identified a two individual $100,000 grants that will be made to the city of Ellsworth and the town of Mount Desert for improvements to their respective waterfronts under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program. 

“Due to the past success of the completed SHIP projects and the economic boost that these new projects will provide, we are looking forward to getting to work right away with these cities and towns,” concluded Cole.

SHIP History:

In 1995 the Department of Transportation received their first block of funding for the Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP).  The goals of the program are to:

• “promote public access, economic development, and a commitment to preserving infrastructure along the coast.”
• “help municipalities make improvements to public wharves, landings & boat ramps.”
• “protects a dwindling asset through a successful state/local partnership.”
• “preserve natural resource based industries.”

 Since 1995, the five completed rounds of grants have dispersed $4.9 million to 59 different coastal municipalities totaling 93 projects. With coastal real estate pressures forcing changes away from public ownership, SHIP protects a dwindling public asset through a successful state/local partnership.  Examples of successful initiatives under this program include a pier reconstruction, float installations, a boat ramp rehabilitation, a new hoist installation or gangway replacement.

SHIP supports the approximately 18,000 licensed commercial fishermen and related industries along the Maine coast who increasingly rely on these public facilities for access to resources. Without this program, municipalities would likely forsake such important projects or be forced to carry out the project with only local resources.  Subsequently, the program enjoys widespread support from coastal municipalities and statewide commercial fishing and marine interests.

A local cash match of up to 50% of the total project cost is required; thereby, doubling the State’s investment.  Often times, this public investment was an incentive for substantial private investment as has been the case in cities and towns like Beals, Belfast, Bucksport and Freeport.  An inter-agency committee from five state agencies selects the successful projects based upon criteria that include the economic impact of the project, the thoroughness of the application, and the ability of the project to be carried out in a timely manner.   

“SHIP has been a spark plug for our entire waterfront improvement program,” says Bucksport Town Manager Roger Raymond. Bucksport has used SHIP funds to improve its public dock, enable construction of a marina, and build a recreational fishing pier with a kayak and canoe launch. “The waterfront now draws both residents and visitors,” Raymond says: “it’s not unusual to see 30 to 40 people there at all times of day.” In a recent community survey, 35 percent of respondents named the waterfront as the town’s strongest asset.

Improvements along the waterfront have transformed the local business climate. “When we first applied for SHIP funds six years ago,” Raymond says, “our downtown had a vacancy rate of 40 percent. Now there are no vacancies. That’s why we strongly believe in SHIP. With the improvements that it helped fund, our waterfront has become the backbone of our entire downtown.”

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2004 SHIP Awards (Round Four)

2002 SHIP Awards (Round Three)

1998 SHIP Awards (Round Two)

Projects funded by Department of Conservation (1998)

1996 SHIP Awards (Round One)

Quality Community Program Application

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is pleased to announce its new Quality Community Program, a new name for existing programs you are probably already familiar with, such as Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, Small Harbor Improvement Program, and various other community programs. The Department has consolidated the former individual applications into a “common” Quality Community Program application to improve overall program and project delivery, as well as to simplify application processes.

MaineDOT’s Quality Community Program includes federal and state funding opportunities to improve the quality community environment in Maine. This competitive program is intended to improve community transportation related facilities through small harbor improvements, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, safety improvements, environmental improvements, scenic, historic, and other quality community improvements. The application is due Friday, June 6th, 2008 to compete for funding available in fiscal years 2010-2011.

• Visit the Quality Community Program Web site (Web site)
  
  

This page last updated on 4/3/08