FORT BRAGG, Calif., Sept. 8, 2022 — On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the Noyo Center for Marine Science in Fort Bragg an $825,230 grant. Strengthen marine research, education, and tourism in Mendocino County.

The Noyo Center facility was first envisioned in 2002, when the Georgia Pacific Sawmill closed at Fort Bragg and the community began discussing the desired direction for the town’s future development. His Noyo Center, a non-profit organization, was launched by him in 2015. Today there is a Discovery Center on Main Street, an Interpretation Center at Noyo Headland and a brand new cafe at Noyo Harbour.

The EDA grant was matched by $207,891 of local funding funded by the American Rescue Plan and partially donated through a partnership with the West Business Development Center to support Ocean Science Center design work and feasibility studies To do.

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Senator Alex Padilla said the project will combine research and tourism, both of which are “pillars of the California economy.” Congressman Jared Huffman said the Marine Science Center “will benefit Mendocino County and our marine ecosystem for years to come.”

According to Sheila Semans, executive director of Noyo Center, the funding is a major step towards establishing a vast marine research and visitor center on the cape and shaping the blue economy.

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“We have completed a more detailed design of the net zero energy facility, conducted an environmental review of the project, developed a business plan that incorporates the incubation of the blue economy, and expanded our vision to expand opportunities for marine science education. You can tie it in with your plans to go to Mendocino College,” she wrote in an email to Mendocino Voices. “This gives her all the ingredients she needs to sell this project to funders and realize the vision this community expressed her more than a decade ago.”

Alejandra Y. Castillo, assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, said the administration is working to accelerate community response and recovery from COVID-19.

“This project will enable Mendocino County to tap into the tourism industry by establishing a world-class marine science center to conduct marine research, educate visitors and students, and create sustainable economic opportunities.” ” she said in a news release.

Governor Gavin Newsom is also a supporter of Noyo Center’s work.

“Mendocino County has miles of stunning coastline and other natural wonders that draw visitors from far and wide,” he said in a news release. “This grant will help further boost travel and tourism, support state-of-the-art marine science centers to provide hands-on education for visitors, advance innovative research in marine science, promote new opportunities to support the economy of

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Additional information about plans for the Marine Science Center is available on the Noyo Center website. The feasibility study and design work are funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which provides $500 million in economic adjustment assistance grants to American communities. EDA officially closed applications for all American Rescue Plan programs on his May 26th. The $3 billion in program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30.

Recent news from Noyo Center: Noyo Center opens Slack Tide Café for coffee, pastries and learning at the port

Note: Kate Fishman For Environment and Natural Resources on The Mendocino Voice, a Reporting to AmericaHer position is funded by the Mendocino Community Foundation, Report for America, and Readers. She can make a tax-deductible donation here or email her to support Fishman’s cause. [email protected]Please contact her at KFishman@mendovoice.com. or (707) 234-7735The Voice maintains editorial control and independence.

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