$2 Million State Grant for Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is slated to receive a $2 million state grant to go toward a new exhibition building, state Sen. Andrew Maynard’s office announced.

The Thompson Exhibition Building “will house a state-of-the art 5,000 square foot exhibit gallery —the largest of the Museum’s seven galleries. The new building will provide the type of conditions required to permit the borrowing of outstanding art and artifacts from other museums around the world. The building will also have a visitors’ entrance, retail space, and a meeting and lecture room,” the release states.

Maynard is not directly quoted in the announcement, he continues to recuperate from injuries he suffered in a wrong-way crash in Waterford on Jan. 14.

“Connecticut’s economy benefits significantly from tourism,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in a statement. “Under recent years, this sector of our economy has evolved into a $14 billion industry, supporting more than 80,000 direct tourism jobs statewide and continuing to grow. The Mystic Seaport continues to be a major draw in the southeastern region of our state, and this project is one for which Senator Maynard has advocated passionately. I am glad that we can continue to support the region with this grant.”

Added Steve White, President of Mystic Seaport, “Mystic Seaport was delighted to learn that our Thompson Exhibition Building project has been added to the January 29, 2016 State Bond Commission agenda for a grant of $2 million. The new building gives us a state-of-the-art, world-class exhibition facility that will fortify a year-round business model and support our role as the nation’s leading maritime museum. The state’s investment in the Thompson Exhibition Building leverages significant support from the private sector, adds luster to the Connecticut brand, and strengthens the local and regional economy by enhancing Mystic’s role as a leading tourist destination. Senator Maynard’s support on this project has been ongoing and with his assistance we were able to demonstrate the project’s merits as we met with legislative leadership, state economic development officials and Governor Malloy. We have likewise been grateful for the support we have received from the State Office of Economic and Community Development and Governor Malloy’s interest in this important project.”

Click here to read the full release.

Photo: Mystic Seaport. Photo credit: Dennis Murphy