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Portsmouth seeks state port grant and launches visitor initiatives with American Cruise Lines
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Summary
City staff briefed the commission on a proposed $200,000 Virginia Port Authority grant to match private and local funds for waterfront improvements tied to American Cruise Lines; the tourism manager outlined signage, a GPS walking‑tour app and themed outings to boost landside activity.
City staff told the Port Industrial Commission on March 24 that Portsmouth has submitted a funding request to the Virginia Port Authority’s Aid to Local Ports program to support landside visitor programming coordinated with American Cruise Lines.
Charlie described the grant application as a $200,000 request from the Virginia Port Authority to match $50,000 committed by American Cruise Lines, $25,000 from the city and $25,000 from the commission. He said the Virginia Port Authority will decide in late April and that, if approved, the city would have 12 months to spend the funds.
"We're asking for $200,000 from the Virginia Port Authority to match a $50,000 commitment from American Cruise Lines, $25,000 from the city, and $25,000 from this body," Charlie said.
James McCann, Portsmouth’s tourism manager, outlined three initiatives the city is developing to keep cruise visitors onshore longer: enhanced historic interpretive signage, a GPS‑based mobile walking‑tour app that lets visitors choose self‑guided routes, and a menu of themed tours ranging from wildlife and museum tours to food‑and‑wine experiences.
"We generally have three different types of initiatives we're working on ... First, beefing up the historic interpretive signage ... Then the second is actually a GPS based mobile walking tour app ... And then the third, we're working on several different tour options," McCann said.
Staff also noted they had budgeted up to $55,000 for engineering services for waterfront improvements and will bring a procurement recommendation at the next meeting. The Port Authority board decision on the grant is expected April 28; staff asked commissioners to remain ready to act on engineering and procurement guidance at the next meeting.
No formal grant award was announced at the meeting.
