Our coastal communities support the regional and statewide economy through tourism, fishing, shipping and commerce. Gov. Patrick and I understand that we cannot overlook opportunities to invest in port communities like New Bedford and Fairhaven.
Since taking office in 2007, our administration has leveraged funding through the state's Seaport Advisory Council to invest more than $12 million to improve infrastructure and economic development for over a dozen projects in the Port of New Bedford.
As chair of the Seaport Advisory Council, I work closely with local and state officials to help improve and develop the deep-water commercial ports and fund critical infrastructure projects in our seaport communities, like New Bedford and Fairhaven. In partnership with the state Legislature, Gov. Patrick approved an Environmental Bond Bill in 2008, which has funded $42 million in infrastructure and economic development projects approved by the council.
Investments in New Bedford, one of the state's 24 Gateway Cities, continue to drive economic activity locally and regionally. Over the last five years, investments approved by the Seaport Advisory Council have helped to redevelop the Port of New Bedford, which is home to a commercial fleet of 500 fishing vessels, a growing recreational boating community, two inter-island ferry services, and an active cargo shipping industry and cruising industry.
Thanks to our investment of more than $7 million in successful dredging in New Bedford and Fairhaven, the port now carries large international vessels and cruise ships in its harbor. By deepening the channels and berths, the port now accommodates the growing shipping industry, allowing a 20 percent increase in freight activity. This also has had a positive impact on the city's fishing fleet, clearing waterways for fishermen to land more than 133 million pounds of product annually, with $306 million in direct sales. Sections of the harbor once restricted because of limited depths are also attracting new and existing business expansion, especially among the extensive ship maintenance and repair facilities in Fairhaven.
The Seaport Advisory Council has also partnered with state agencies including the Department of Conservation and Recreation to invest in the New Bedford State Pier. After our administration funded $3 million in building renovations, the State Pier now serves as a vibrant terminal for the city and the commonwealth. These recent renovations accommodate cruise ships and passenger boats that carry over 100,000 people to and from New Bedford on an annual basis. Once complete, investments to the State Pier will create a centralized vessel staging center to accommodate 16 vessels that will support security, public safety, patrol and other important goals of the State Pier and Port of New Bedford.
Read the complete opinion piece from The Standard-Times.