H.R. 3048 establishes a national network of at least seven Ocean Innovation Clusters designed to strengthen coastal communities and the "blue economy"—which includes industries like fisheries, marine energy, ship building, aquaculture, and ocean tourism. The Secretary of Commerce must designate these clusters within one year, ensuring geographic diversity across the five National Marine Fisheries Service regions, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. Each cluster will be led by a nonprofit organization and bring together businesses, academic institutions, tribal organizations, and government agencies to collaborate on research, workforce training, and sustainable ocean resource development.
The clusters will establish physical Ocean Innovation Centers in each region to serve as hubs for entrepreneurs and cross-sector partners, with functions including shared workspaces, technology access, internships, and apprenticeships targeting underrepresented and tribal communities. The bill authorizes $10 million per year from 2026 through 2030 for competitive grants to these clusters, with individual grants capped at $10 million over two-year terms and potential renewal. Multiple federal agencies—including NOAA, the Economic Development Administration, the Department of Energy, and others—will coordinate support and designate partnership liaisons to facilitate collaboration and align efforts with regional blue economy objectives.
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