MARION — After five years of planning and 10 months of construction, the new Marion Maritime Center is now open for business.

On Tuesday, Aug. 26 town officials came together for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the center and the completion of the $3.5 million construction project.

During the ceremony, Senator Kelly Dooner said the building wasn’t a want but a need, calling the center a “great asset for the Town of Marion.”

Select Board Chair Randy Parker spoke at the event, calling it a “historic moment” for the town.

“This is a proud moment for our town, our boating community and for the generations that will enjoy the harbor and the waterfront for years to come,” he said.

Parker said that the building not only “meets the needs of today” but that it also “[prepares] us for the future.”

The project was funded with the help of a $1.9 million Seaport Economic Council grant through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development.

The building will be staffed by four permanent, full-time Marion Police Department employees and several seasonal employees, serving as the base of operations for harbormaster services.

There will also be new technology systems, including radio systems, marine radios and cameras as well as spaces that can be used for community meetings.

“This project has been an amazing team effort, and we are grateful for this opportunity to acknowledge all the hard work that has been done and all the community support that has made this all possible,” said Police Chief Richard Nighelli.