Port Deposit and Talbot County Awarded Working Waterfront Grants

Funds Help Enhance and Preserve Maryland’s Maritime Communities

Photo by Sharon Diehl

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has awarded Talbot County and the Town of Port Deposit with financial and technical assistance for projects through the Working Waterfronts Program.

With a $50,000 grant for each, these projects are slated to begin in October with the goal of enhancing and preserving their waterfront communities.

“The history, culture and identity of our coastal communities is inextricably linked to the existence of the working waterfront,” Chesapeake and Coastal Service Director Matthew Fleming said. “Port Deposit and Talbot County are home to water-dependent businesses and industries that support jobs in our state, making them an important component of Maryland’s economy. We look forward to the work these communities will do with this funding to protect and invigorate their coastal communities and marine-based economies.”

This is the third year of grants, made possible by a partnership between the Department of Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Applicants were encouraged to address commercial uses, public access, maritime heritage, tourism, recreation, and natural resources conservation and/or restoration, while taking into account potential flooding and storm surge impacts.

Moving forward, the communities will be working with professionals and local stakeholder groups to address various community needs including strategic waterfront planning, revitalization and maritime job growth.