Press Releases
01/30/2019
Gov. Lamont Announces Partnership With the City of New London and Connecticut Port Authority Regarding the Future of the State Pier
(NEW LONDON, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today visited New London to announce a new partnership between the Connecticut Port Authority, Gateway Terminal, and the City of New London regarding the future of the Connecticut State Pier. Under the terms of the partnership, which was brokered by Governor Lamont’s office, New London will receive 10 percent of the Port Authority’s share of the revenue from the State Pier, in addition to an annual $75,000 fee to defray the cost of police, fire, and other services the city provides. The Port Authority will also support efforts to amend its enabling statutes to include the mayor of New London as an ex officio member of its Board of Directors, guaranteeing that the city’s perspective is taken into account as any further investments in the State Pier are developed throughout the planning process.
The partnership outlines the city’s important role in shaping the future of the State Pier to serve as the regional hub for the offshore wind industry and other emerging opportunities.
“The redevelopment of the State Pier is an investment in the future of New London, the surrounding region, and our state,” Governor Lamont said. “That’s why everyone needed to be at the table to work hand-in-hand with our private sector partners to bring good jobs to southeastern Connecticut. This partnership also helps revitalize downtown New London and positions the state to meet the increasing demands of a green energy economy.”
“I am pleased that New London will be receiving additional revenue to help offset the cost of city services that support the operations at State Pier and I am excited that New London is on its way to becoming the offshore wind capital of the northeast,” said New London Mayor Michael Passero. “On behalf of the city, I would like to thank Governor Lamont for stepping in upon taking office to assist New London taxpayers and for recognizing the critical role of the host community to the success of State Pier. I also want to recognize the great and growing partnership of the city with Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind. Most importantly, along with important financial resources, the city now has a seat at the table for future discussions involving State Pier, and I look forward to working with the Port Authority and our private sector partners to advance our long-term partnerships for the economic future of the state, our region, and New London.”
“It’s an exciting, optimistic time for the state, the city, and the region,” said State Senator Paul Formica, who represents New London and serves as ranking member of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee. “New London is one of Connecticut’s best assets. We are all pulling in the same direction on behalf of New London economic development and long-term job creation. Together, we will open our great city to more maritime business. We will also move into the next generation of energy independence by embracing the emerging offshore wind industry. Collaboration leads to opportunities, and New London’s future is now brighter thanks to this smart partnership. Credit is due to all involved, from the governor, to the mayor, to Port Authority officials, and our private sector partners.”
Created by state statute in 2014, the Connecticut Port Authority is a quasi-public agency responsible for marketing and developing the state’s ports, harbors, and maritime economy.
“The Port Authority was created to foster the types of innovative public-private partnerships that we are seeing today around the development of State Pier,” said Scott Bates, Chairman of the Connecticut Port Authority. “We are grateful to our partners at Gateway for sharing our vision to bring the wind industry to the table, along with expanded conventional cargo operations. We are also grateful for their contribution to this impact agreement with the City of New London. The next step is for us to work with our partners to continue growing the maritime economy and creating jobs in New London and across our state.”
“We are extremely excited to have been recently selected as the operator for the State Pier,” said Matthew Satnick, co-CEO and Chairman of Enstructure, Gateway’s financial partner. “Working in partnership with the City of New London, the Connecticut Port Authority, and innovative businesses like Ørsted, we are confident that together we will make this a world-class facility and a regional economic engine for the State of Connecticut.”
Gateway Terminal is a privately held Connecticut-based company that is the largest port terminal operator in the State of Connecticut. Gateway’s Connecticut terminal locations handle a wide range of breakbulk, dry bulk, and liquid bulk products. The company currently operates five terminals on approximately 75 acres of land in and around the Port of New Haven. The company’s strategic location, connectivity, infrastructure, and turnkey services provide numerous advantages over both regional and large northeastern ports.
In recent years, the state has committed more than $30 million toward renovating the State Pier into a regional hub for green jobs, including for use in the deployment of equipment and workers for offshore wind projects. The investments will be used for storm water treatment and drainage improvements, upgrades to increase laydown capabilities, the construction of a heavy lift pad, improvements to load-bearing capacity, and replacement of mooring dolphins, among other enhancements.
In addition, Ørsted, the global offshore wind energy leader, is developing its 300-megawatt Revolution Wind farm that will contribute nearly $32 million in local investments, including $1.5 million in host community payments to New London, a $3 million grant to the city to improve maritime facilities used by the city’s commercial fishing industry, and more than $4.5 million in grants supporting workforce and supply chain studies as well as research and STEM education at regional institutions. Also, the company expects to open a New London development office this spring.
Revolution Wind is expected to be in construction from 2022 to 2023 and create over 300 local development and construction jobs. It will be located over 40 miles from Connecticut’s coast and about 15 miles south of Martha Vineyard.
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