禁漫天堂

UMassD leads the charge in bringing together the region鈥檚 marine-based assets

Before the predecessor institutions of 禁漫天堂 began educating the SouthCoast鈥檚 workforce in 1895, the region鈥檚 economy and culture were driven by the coastline. Today, the area is poised to re-emerge as a hub for marine-based industries, with UMassD leading the charge in bringing together the region鈥檚 assets.

Marine-related industries dot more than 40 miles of coastline from Rhode Island to Cape Cod. Commercial fishing, research, marine technology companies, offshore wind energy, and educational institutions create a corridor of innovative, job-creating economic opportunities and resources. In the center is 禁漫天堂, a Tier 1 national research university, with partnerships, relevant academic programs, and research activities. By combining student and faculty research from each of the university鈥檚 seven colleges and schools, UMassD is poised to contribute to emerging fields of innovative research and entrepreneurship.

UMassD is the catalyst for joining higher education and research institutions, businesses, civic organizations, and the region鈥檚 unique assets to develop a Blue Economy鈥攖he sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth,
improved livelihoods and jobs, coastal resiliency, and ocean ecosystem health鈥攖o fuel a revitalization of the SouthCoast economy.

UMassD sparked the conversation at a symposium hosted with the Council on Competitiveness last spring, where 100 government, industry, and higher education leaders discussed innovation and collaboration across industries and borders.

鈥淭he challenge is to build on these valuable assets and accelerate their job-creating power,鈥� said Chancellor Robert E. Johnson.

鈥淭his region owns the maritime economy鈥�we need to protect what we have, leverage what we have, and grow what we have,鈥� said Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.

Together with the UMassD-based SouthCoast Development Partnership, the Blue Economy has become a strategic priority, and funding has been secured to support the development of the corridor.

In September 2018, UMassD was awarded $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to encourage collaboration to attract marine technology companies, talent, and research
funding. 鈥淭his grant will allow the SouthCoast to maximize the potential of its burgeoning Blue Economy and will spur growth in the region by strategic investment in the marine science sector,鈥� said Congressman William R. Keating.

Following the EDA grant, UMassD was awarded a three-year $300,000 state investment from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. 鈥淭he maritime sector continues to play a vital role in Massachusetts鈥� economy, and presents great potential for innovation and growth,鈥� said former Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash.

鈥淭hese investments will allow us to bring together business, civic, and educational leaders to design and build a new Blue Economy driven by innovation and collaboration,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淭he history of our region鈥檚 economy has been driven by its proximity to the sea. Now, with the nation鈥檚 top fishing port, an emerging offshore wind industry, and a growing marine technology sector, the potential for economic growth along Interstate 195 is great.鈥�