Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025

This bill would set up regional “Ocean Innovation Clusters” to grow jobs and businesses linked to the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes—called the Blue Economy, which includes things like fishing, shipbuilding, tourism, and clean energy. The Commerce Department would name at least seven clusters within a year, covering all NOAA Fisheries regions plus the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico . Each cluster brings together local businesses, colleges (including Tribal- and minority-serving schools), nonprofits, governments, Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations, led by a nonprofit, to boost fair and sustainable growth in their region. Federal liaisons and agencies will help coordinate efforts across energy, transportation, environment, and more.

The bill also creates shared “Ocean Innovation Centers” in each region. These are physical spaces with labs and work areas for entrepreneurs and workers to collaborate, get training, and build careers—including internships and apprenticeships for underrepresented and Tribal communities. The government can award competitive grants of up to $10 million for two years (renewable), with $10 million authorized per year from 2026 through 2030, aiming for clusters to become self-sustaining over time. Focus areas include job training, support for small businesses, help with intellectual property, stronger and more sustainable seafood supply chains, and new technologies like ocean energy. The government will also track results to see how these efforts help local economies.

Key points

• Who is affected: Coastal and Great Lakes communities; small businesses and entrepreneurs; students and workers; Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations; ocean-related industries like fishing, tourism, shipbuilding, and clean energy .
• What changes: At least seven regional clusters and new collaboration centers; coordinated federal support; grants for operations; clear focus on jobs, training, sustainable seafood, and new tech like ocean energy; federal tracking of economic impact .
• When: Clusters named within one year of enactment; grants are two years (renewable); funding authorized for fiscal years 2026–2030 .