Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) have secured $875,000 in state funding earmarks for twelve local initiatives in the Towns of Essex, Rockport, and Manchester-by-the Sea, and the City of Gloucester as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget that was enacted by the House and Senate on July 31^st.

Specific amounts for the budget earmarks include:

• $200,000 for Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Incorporated for a research project to characterize the impact of offshore wind on economically important species using acoustic telemetry and environmental DNA
• $80,000 for Wellspring House, Inc. in the city of Gloucester
• $25,000 for bacteria testing at Good Harbor beach in the city of Gloucester
• $15,000 for Gloucester Boxing Club, Inc.
• $100,000 for the repair or replacement of electrical systems in Gloucester City Hall
• $90,000 for a needs determination and feasibility study of the American Legion building located on Washington street in the city of Gloucester
• $75,000 for the rehabilitation of the recreation area known as the Centennial Grove in the town of Essex
• $15,000 for environmental restoration projects in the town of Essex
• $30,000 for Manchester-by-the Sea for wastewater treatment plant flood proofing efforts
• $75,000 for Manchester-by-the-Sea for the costs relating to the creation of Cape Ann regional emergency preparedness plans for the towns of Manchester, Essex, Rockport, and the city of Gloucester
• $95,000 for Rockport for the purchase of pump station equipment for the Dock square pump station
• $75,000 for the modernization of the dock square sewer pump in the town of Rockport

“The budget is the most important piece of legislation that the Legislature takes up each year. It has always been my priority to work, along with Senator Tarr, to ensure that Cape Ann is well-represented in the budget process and that our communities get their fair share. With valuable input from our municipal and community leaders in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Manchester-by-the-Sea, this legislation makes targeted investments to promote economic development, enhance public safety and public infrastructure, and protect our region’s environment,” said Representative Ferrante.

“Working together, Representative Ferrante and I have been able to secure state funding for a dozen priorities that have been identified through collaboration with leaders in Gloucester, Essex, Rockport, and Manchester-by-the-Sea. These investments bring valuable state resources to bear on an array of local projects and initiatives that will boost our local economy, strengthen our emergency preparedness, improve our quality of life, protect our environment, and promote sustainability and resiliency in the face of climate change. They will make a difference  for our communities and our future. Thanks to everyone that has been part of this effort,” said Senator Tarr.

The budget is now on Governor Maura Healey’s desk for her consideration. She has 10 days to act on its contents.