Massachusetts’ 2022 State Budget to Include Funding for Recreational Boating Industry Workforce Development

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker recently signed the 2022 state budget, which included $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry. This funding will complement and continue the progress the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has made to meet the workforce challenges within the state’s recreational boating industry.

The funds were introduced via Budget Amendments sponsored in the House by Representative William Straus of the 10th Bristol District and in the Senate by Senator Patrick O’Connor of the Plymouth and Norfolk District, joined in leadership by Representative Susan Gifford and Senator Joseph Boncore, the four Co-Chairs of the 60-plus member Legislative Boating Caucus.

The recreational boating industry in Massachusetts has an economic impact of $4.4 billion and employs more than 20,000 men and women in the state. As the state looks to recover from the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the amendment will go a long way in helping to continue MMTA’s efforts on the workforce front in Massachusetts.

For more information, please contact David Dickerson, NMMA's vice president of state government affairs at [email protected].