
Mayor Greg Verga is proud to announce the award of $100,000 to Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI), one of eight community organizations receiving Covid Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, to support the buildout of new office space for teachers and support staff.
The City of Gloucester was awarded $23 million under the American Rescue Plan Act’s local funding provisions and has been distributing these funds to several sectors within the community. Mayor Verga recently announced the appropriation of $870,170 of Covid Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, also known as ARPA funds, to be distributed to eight community organizations. This funding will be used to support their critical missions within our community and to aid in their work to assist in the City’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute has leveraged our community’s unique location and potential to create opportunities for our young adults through their innovative Gloucester Biotechnology Academy,” said Mayor Greg Verga. “I am thrilled that we have been able to offer support to GMGI for the expansion of their space to allow their administrative staff and instructors the room to grow and thrive. I look forward to seeing all that they will continue to do in our great City.”
After substantial public input and a careful application process, GMGI was awarded funds to support the addition of new office space that provides Gloucester Biotechnology Academy instructors and administrative staff with 2,800 sq. ft. of shared and individual offices as well as private breakout rooms.
“The recent success of the Academy has provided tremendous outcomes for our students but has also required an expansion across all areas of our program,” said Chris Bolzan, GMGI’s Executive Director. “This generous support from the city allows our team to do their jobs with professionalism, efficiency, and confidentiality, all the while catalyzing the local economy through the use of local contractors and providing career development for Gloucester’s young adults.”
In addition to this nearly $900,000 for community organizations, Mayor Verga has also strategically allocated $13 million to support critical infrastructure upgrades, $1.5 million to the City of Gloucester’s Affordable Housing Trust, and $1.5 million to fund several economic development initiatives.
To learn more about the City of Gloucester’s ARPA funds, including appropriations and expenditures, go to arpa.gloucester-ma.gov.
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