MARION — The new proposed Marion Harbormaster facility got another boost of funding from the Seaport Economic Council on Tuesday, Dec. 13, putting the project one step closer to completion. 

The funds are designated for the construction of a new Maritime Center and Harbormaster Office at the Island Wharf property. 

According to Interim Town Administrator Judy Mooney, the state awarded a $300,000 grant to the town for the construction of the facility which has an estimated price tag of $2.9 million. 

During May’s town meeting, voters agreed to support the construction of a new harbormaster’s office and maritime center that is designed to provide more space for department employees and for storage.

According to Marion Harbormaster Isaac Perry, if the town can secure $2 million of state and federal funding, then a $700,000 bond from the Marion waterways account will round out the remainder of the cost. This will allow the department to pay back the balance over time. 

The funding from the waterways account will not incur an additional cost on town residents, nor will it raise boating fees, said Perry. 

The waterways account funding also considers any increased expenses that could raise the price of materials or labor above the estimated $2.9 million cost.

To date, the Seaport Economic Council has awarded approximately $1.6 million to the harbormaster facility project. 

According to Perry, he is always seeking out new grant opportunities to meet the project’s funding goals. 

“We’re at the tail end of the design and engineering phase,” said Perry. “We hope to get this project out to bid at some point over the winter.”

So far, said Perry, the cost of the project has been based on projections but he hopes to “get the project out to bid with some concrete numbers.” 

“We’re still hoping to break ground sometime in the fall or winter of 2023 or 2024,” he said. “It’s an exciting time.”