Bristol Awarded Federal Grant To Expand Maritime Center

BRISTOL, RI — The town of Bristol received more than $600,000 in grant funding for expansions at the Bristol Maritime Center.

The $623,729 grant came from the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration — Boating Infrastructure Grant Program. It comes after an $861,000 grant in 2013, which was used to renovate the Bristol Naval Reserve Armory to create the Bristol Maritime Center.

"This federal funding will help boost the local economy by making Bristol more welcoming to boaters," Senator Jack Reed said. "I commend Bristol and DEM for putting together a successful bid. These federal dollars will help put people to work making these improvements. And when the work is completed, it could provide a needed lift to local shops and restaurants by attracting more visitors to Bristol."

The project will construct 19 slips for visiting boaters and a fuel dock. It was selected from a pool of 23 applications from 19 states.

"We are excited to award this new infrastructure grant to further enhance the amenities available for visiting boaters at the Bristol Maritime Center," DEM Director Janet Coit said. "As the Ocean State, we welcome thousands of transient boaters into our harbors each year to enjoy world-class boating and fishing, delicious seafood, sandy beaches, and breathtaking water vistas. Bristol is a historic and magical place that is doing so much to welcome and attract visitors. The quality of their proposal is the reason we will be able to add new facilities at the Maritime Center and improve our state's appeal as a premier maritime destination."

The grant requires a 25 percent funding match from the DEM, which has provided more than $3 million in federal Boating Infrastructure Grants since 2013 for similar projects in Jamestown, North Kingstown, Portsmouth, Providence and Westerly.

"Bristol is very pleased to be receiving this Boating Infrastructure Grant for transient docks and a fuel service," Bristol Town Administrator, Steven Contente, said. "The funding will help further our local investment and efforts to increase visitors by boat and support Bristol's commercial and fishing fleet. I wish to thank Senator Jack Reed for his commitment and support."