NMTA Announces 2021 Grant Recipients

SEATTLE – November 17, 2021 – The Northwest Marine Trade Association’s (NMTA) Grow Boating Grant Program has awarded $10,000 in funding to 10 boating programs in the Pacific Northwest.

Over the past 18 years the program has awarded more than $2 million in funding to groups and organizations that help boost the number of boaters and watercraft users and encourage boaters to use their boats more often. The Grow Boating Program is funded through a surcharge on square-footage rented during the Seattle Boat Show. Due to no in-person Seattle Boat Show in 2020, this year’s budget was capped at $10,000 (which came from reserves) and the Grow Boating Committee decided to split this into 10 available grants at $1,000 each.

“We’re pleased that despite the inability to replenish the budget in 2021 due to no in-person Seattle Boat Show in 2020, we were still able to offer something to our local boating programs,” said Karsten McIntosh, NMTA’s staff contact for the Grow Boating Committee. “We hope to return to a more normal Grow Boating operation in 2022.”

McIntosh also said he was impressed with the variety of applicants this year, both geographically and in types of programs, with many new organizations applying. In total, 17 organizations applied for a 2021 grant.

Grants were awarded to:

·        Bremerton Yacht Club

·        Campus Life

·        Community Boating Program

·        Foss Waterway Seaport

·        Future Tides

·        Northwest Maritime Center

·        Seattle Mountaineers Sailing Program

·        Sisters in Action Sports

·        Sound Experience (Schooner Adventuress)

·        Supporters of Olympia Community Sailing

 

About the Northwest Marine Trade Association

The NMTA is the nation’s largest regional marine association. It represents more than 700 companies in the recreational boating industry, including boat dealers, boat brokers, marinas, boatyards, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers of boating accessories and services. The NMTA’s mission is to promote the growth of recreational boating and its members businesses. The NMTA produces the Seattle Boat Show, the West Coast’s largest boat show and the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show.

The NMTA Grow Boating Committee oversees the management and allocation of NMTA's regional Grow Boating fund, and determines what programs, events and promotions to support to encourage boating in the Northwest.