Funds available for marine highway projects

Maritime Administration accepting applications for piece — or all — of $6.79 million.    The Maritime Administration said it will award $6.79 million in grants for short sea shipping or marine highway projects.
   The funds can be used for projects related to vessels or port and landside infrastructure.
   In a notice that also will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, MARAD said the money will be awarded to one or more projects previously designated by the DOT.
   A list of 19 previously designated projects may be viewed here.
   The notice says, “MARAD will seek to obtain the maximum benefit from the available funding by awarding grants to as many qualified projects as possible; however, MARAD reserves the right to award all funds to just one project.” An applicant must provide at least 20 percent of project costs from non-federal sources.
   It adds, “Recipients of prior Marine Highway Grants in earlier rounds of this program may apply for funding to support additional phases of a designated project. However, to be competitive, the applicant should demonstrate the extent to which the previously funded project phase has met estimated project schedules and budget, as well as the ability to realize the benefits expected for the new award.”
   Applications for the grants must be submitted by Oct. 5.