Murray, Murkowski Introduce Bill to Invest in Blue Economy, Spark Innovation in Coastal Communities

Bipartisan, bicameral legislation would support coastal communities by fostering collaboration between different industries

WASHINGTON DC - Esta semana, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee joined Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act (Ocean ROI Act), legislation that would require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a federal strategy for investing in the nation’s ocean-based economy with “Ocean Innovation Clusters.”

Specifically, the Ocean ROI Act would require the Secretary of Commerce—acting through the administrator of the U.S. Economic Development Agency, and in consultation with the administrator of NOAA—to designate at least one ocean cluster in each of the five domestic NOAA Fisheries regions and the Great Lakes region, and establish a new grant program for the ocean clusters, including one-time capital investments for physical infrastructure.

“Washington state’s maritime industries fuel local economies and create jobs for thousands of families across our state. Investing in ocean clusters including Washington’s own Maritime Blue will benefit coastal communities, advance our blue economy, and put us on a path towards a sustainable and thriving maritime industry—so I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan bill,” dijo el senador Murray.

“A strong blue economy will require strong coordination and creativity, and that’s why I’m leading this effort to invest in our ocean clusters and take advantage of the opportunities for innovation and collaboration,” said Senator Murkowski, co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus. “This effort doesn’t just focus on the untapped economic potential of our blue economy, but also ensures that collaboration is at the center of any conversation or effort to address the impacts of climate change on our coastal communities. By providing incentives and workspaces for Alaskans in maritime and maritime-adjacent industries, we can achieve real progress in strengthening the blue economy.”

The text of the bill is available aquí.

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