Sponsors (10)
The bill creates federal structure, centers, training, and grants to grow a coordinated 'Blue Economy' that can boost coastal jobs and innovation, but it does so with limited funding, risks of concentrated/uneven benefits, administrative complexity, and potential barriers for private-sector participation.
Coastal small businesses, local governments, and coastal communities gain coordinated federal support and competitive grant opportunities to scale ocean-related ventures and spur local economic growth.
Regional Ocean Innovation Centers and clusters create physical hubs with shared labs, workspaces, and resources that can drive regional job creation, innovation in marine technologies, and infrastructure for coastal economies.
Students, job-seekers, and underrepresented communities (including Tribal communities) gain targeted workforce training, internships, and apprenticeships tailored to the Blue Economy, improving local employment pathways.
Many potential clusters and communities may receive little or no support because total federal funding for the program is limited to $10 million per year.
Large award caps (up to $10 million per award) risk concentrating funds in a few recipients and disadvantaging smaller communities and nascent clusters.
Creating and operating physical centers, plus federal coordination, may increase federal and local costs or require redirected resources, potentially raising taxpayer burdens.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a program to designate Ocean Innovation Clusters and award competitive grants (up to $10M each) to support regional Blue Economy collaboration, with $10M/yr authorized FY2026–2030.
Introduced April 28, 2025 by Chellie Pingree · Last progress April 28, 2025
Creates a federal program to form and fund regional “Ocean Innovation Clusters” that support local Blue Economy growth through cross-sector collaboration. The Commerce Department must designate at least seven clusters (spread across specified marine regions) within one year and may award competitive grants to those clusters (two‑year awards, up to $10 million each) with $10 million authorized annually for FY2026–FY2030. Clusters must be led by not‑for‑profits and include businesses, universities (including minority‑ and Tribal‑serving institutions), non‑profits, and government or tribal partners; federal agencies (including Sea Grant, NOAA, and the Economic Development Administration) will assign liaisons to coordinate with clusters and align federal support for sustainable, equitable Blue Economy development.