HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn,), and U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02) and Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04) on Monday announced $17 million in grants from the MARAD FY22 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) for the City of New London Port Infrastructure Development Project and the Bridgeport Port Authority Project. The grants will support the design and construction of a wind port in Bridgeport, and fund projects aimed at improving and expanding the ports in both Bridgeport and New London.

 

“The ports in New London and Bridgeport are big job creating engines for our state, and this funding is a huge investment in the continuing development of our port cities. With these grants, our state will continue to grow as a center of commerce and help our country move toward a cleaner energy future,” said Murphy. 

 

“Wind energy is good for the environment and Connecticut’s economy.  These Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will improve port facilities to accommodate wind energy. New London and Bridgeport will continue to lead on this critical economic sector.  I am proud to have fought for this funding to support our coastal economic hubs,” said Blumenthal.

“Today’s Port Infrastructure grant award is the result of consistent bipartisan work, and it’s a huge win for continued economic success and job growth in our region. We’re seeing a ton of exciting economic activity in eastern Connecticut, and none of it’s happening by accident—in fact, when it comes to today’s grant award, my colleagues and I on the House Armed Services Committee helped originate the Port Infrastructure Development Program back in 2020 specifically for use-cases like this in New London. Too many of America’s ports have been neglected for too long, and we’ve seen the drag that can create on our economy while other ports around the world are modernizing at a rapid clip. Modernizing our own ports has become an economic and national security imperative, and today’s announcement is a perfect example of why we created the PIDP program in the first place: to ramp-up capabilities at America’s smaller, critical ports like these. My office has been working directly with Mohawk Northeast for three years to go after this funding, and I want to congratulate Mohawk Northeast President Allan Heinke and his entire team for stepping back up to the plate and earning it,” said Courtney.

“I am extremely proud to help bring home over $10 million in federal funding for the Bridgeport harbor. The projects involved will not only make the harbor safer, greener, and more accessible, but also create hundreds of jobs in the community and lead to long-term economic benefits across the region. I am especially excited about the creation of an off-shore wind port, which will help launch Connecticut forward as a leader in renewable energy,” said Himes.

“This is great news for the continued development of Bridgeport Harbor.  This is another prime example of public and private partnerships working together to achieve success.  I would like to acknowledge and thank the Bridgeport Port Authority, Bridgeport Boat Works, LLC, and Congressman Himes, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy’s offices for their joint effort to obtain this $11 million dollars Federal Port Grant,” said Bridgeport Mayor Ganim.

"This investment in Bridgeport's port infrastructure will help create hundreds of jobs in our region and generate millions in direct economic benefits. I am so thankful to the Bridgeport Harbor Commission, the East End NRZ, Connecticut's congressional delegation, Rep. Himes, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy, for supporting this extremely competitive grant application. This transformative grant award will help continue to unlock Bridgeport Harbor's enormous untapped potential to serve as an economic hub for the region and the State of Connecticut," said Robert Christoph, Jr., Steelpointe Developer.

"This announcement will ensure that Bridgeport plays a pivotal role in the emerging wind industry in our region. Thank you to the Bridgeport Port Authority for partnering with Bridgeport Boatworks to make this application a success. Thank you to Rep. Himes, Rep. DeLauro, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy for their hard-fought efforts to bring these much-needed resources to Bridgeport Harbor," said Harry Boardsen, Owner, Bridgeport Boatworks.

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