Submitted by the Northwest Marine Trade Association

The Northwest Marine Trade Association’s Grow Boating Grant Program has awarded $31,000 in funding to 18 boating programs in the Pacific Northwest.

Over the past 17 years, the program has granted more than $2 million in funding to non-profit groups or 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.

This year, 22 applicants submitted grant requests totaling more than $156,000. The Grow Boating Committee, made up of NMTA members, spent two months pouring over the requests, which were all noteworthy in one way or another.

“This year was filled with many qualified grant recipients,” said Mike Kirshenbaum, vice president, HO Sports, and chairman, NMTA’s Grow Boating Committee. “After much discussion and consideration, we are pleased to have completed the grant process and are again able to support great events, projects and organizations. We continue our commitment to members and our goal of increasing all aspects of on-water activities in the beautiful and diverse waters of the Pacific Northwest.”

The 2020 grantees represent the full range of recreational boating and include everything from youth sailing organizations, towboat events and a collegiate bass fishing club to educational youth events and outreach programs.

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.