# Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025

This bill creates a new federal program to support coastal communities by establishing "Ocean Innovation Clusters"—regional partnerships that bring together businesses, universities, nonprofits, and government agencies to grow ocean-related industries and create jobs.

The core idea is straightforward: coastal areas have enormous economic potential through fishing, aquaculture, renewable energy, marine tourism, boat building, and other ocean-based businesses. But these industries often work in silos without coordinating with each other or accessing the research and resources they need to grow. The bill designates at least seven regional hubs across the country—with at least one in each major fishing region, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico—to break down those barriers. Each hub will be led by a nonprofit organization and bring together local businesses, academic institutions, government agencies, and Native American tribes to collaborate on shared goals.

The bill also requires the federal government to create physical "Ocean Innovation Centers" in each region—essentially shared workspaces where entrepreneurs, researchers, and business leaders can collaborate, access technology, and develop new ideas together. These centers would offer meeting spaces, laboratories, and support for internships and job training, with a specific focus on bringing underrepresented communities and tribal members into ocean economy careers. The federal government will provide up to $10 million per year through 2030 to help these clusters get established and operate, though the goal is for them to eventually become self-sustaining through membership fees and private support.

The practical impact would be felt primarily in coastal communities, where this coordination could help small fishing businesses access new markets, help renewable energy companies find skilled workers, connect researchers with industry needs, and create pathways for young people to enter well-paying ocean-related careers. The bill also emphasizes sustainability and resilience, meaning these clusters would work to help communities recover from natural disasters and adapt to environmental changes while growing their economies.