AIWW Receives Funding Increase

The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), a 1,100 mile stretch of water running from northern Virginia to the Florida Keys, has received one of the largest funding increases to its budget in recent years. Under the federal government’s fiscal year 2019 maintenance budget, the waterway will have a $24 million budget. The National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association worked to secure additional funding to ensure the AIWW is maintained for both commercial and recreational use. The groups highlighted the billions of dollars in economic impact that the AIWW brings to the nation.

The $23.944 million in total funding will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with critical dredging projects to keep the AIWW navigable for commercial and recreational boats. The funding will be distributed among the states as follows:

• Florida – $2.98 million
• Georgia – $3 million
• North Carolina – $5.59 million
• South Carolina – $6.948 million
• Virginia – $5.426 million