Bill > S1392

This bill establishes the Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025, which creates a national framework for Ocean Innovation Clusters (OICs) to strengthen the United States' coastal communities and ocean economy. The bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to designate at least 7 OICs across different geographic regions, including the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico, with a focus on creating cross-sector partnerships among businesses, academic institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and Tribal organizations. These clusters will work to promote innovation in the "Blue Economy" - a term the bill defines as sustainable industries related to oceans, coastal areas, and marine resources, including fishing, renewable energy, tourism, and marine transportation. The OICs will be tasked with developing physical collaboration spaces, supporting workforce development, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving economic growth in marine-dependent communities. The bill authorizes competitive grants of up to $10 million per cluster for a two-year period, with potential renewals, to help these organizations become self-sustaining. Additionally, the legislation mandates interagency coordination among federal departments to enhance technical knowledge exchange and create opportunities for cross-sector collaboration in ocean-related industries, with a particular emphasis on supporting underrepresented and Tribal communities.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1392/all-info