The Maine Department of Transportation is awarding nearly one million dollars ($960,700) in grants to 21 coastal cities and towns under the Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP). Boothbay Harbor is among the recipients and will receive $18,000 for piling replacement at the Fish Pier. Town Manager Tom Woodin said that the town submitted the grant application last fall and will be contributing 50 percent matching funds for the project.

The Small Harbor Improvement Program supports approximately 18,000 licensed commercial fishermen and related industries along the Maine coast that increasingly rely on public facilities for access to resources. With coastal real estate pressures forcing changes away from public ownership, SHIP protects a dwindling public asset through a successful state/local partnership.

"This represents a major effort by MaineDOT and Maine municipalities to improve and protect working waterfronts while at the same time promoting sound economic development and public access along the coast," Transportation Commissioner David Cole explained.

Funds for the SHIP grants were authorized by the legislature and approved by Maine voters through a transportation bond referendum in June of 2007. These grants require a local cash match of between 25-75 percent.