Steps away from the factory floor at Cordage Park, engineers at Greensea IQ can approach the water’s edge and launch one of its underwater robots on a test run, or demonstrate its capabilities for potential customers.
It’s one example of the emerging marine technology sector in Plymouth, which is the focus of the Blue Future 24 Conference October 21-22 at the Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor, organized by the Plymouth Foundation.
“This is our third year running the conference and now Plymouth is really demonstrating its leadership in the blue economy,” said Stephen Cole, executive director of foundation.
Plymouth’s economic relationship with the ocean is hardly new, Cole notes. From fishing and traditional marine trades to the Cordage Company itself, which was “blue economy” in its time, he said. The opportunity to grow now, is around emerging marine industries, including aquaculture, robotics and technology development.
“For many of these companies, you need the land to support your water activities,” Cole said. “That’s where Plymouth is well situated to entice this kind of development. We have a tranquil bay, 37 miles of coastline, and direct land-to-water access that most of the industrialized seaports in Massachusetts don’t have.”
Blue Future 2024 will include keynote speakers, breakout sessions and panel discussions that cover marine technology, aquaculture and fisheries, climate resilience, and a public policy roundtable with Plymouth’s legislative delegation and policy experts.
The keynote speaker on Oct. 21 is Ashley Stolba, Massachusetts’ undersecretary of economic development and co-chair of the state’s Seaport Council. She will speak about the state’s new economic development plan and funding available through the governor’s economic development bond bill.
On Oct. 22, the keynote will be delivered by Josh Cutler, undersecretary for the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Cutler will speak about state efforts to support emerging companies and develop the workforce for the blue economy.
The conference coincides with Massachusetts’ annual STEM Week, a series of events across the state that encourages students to study science, technology, engineering and math to help them imagine career opportunities in those fields.
“We are pleased to help kick-off STEM week this year and we’ll have an even bigger student session” than last year, Cole said.
Blue Future 24 opens with an “Education and Workforce Development” session on Oct. 21. Local college and high school students can attend at no cost. Students will learn about the types of companies and jobs now growing in marine fields and also have a chance to participate in mock job interviews with members of the Marine Trades Association.
Because the event happens during school hours, local high school students will attend with their teachers or advisors, Cole said, while college students can attend on their own with a valid college ID.
This year’s Blue Future Anchor Institution Award will be presented to Greensea IQ, which develops software systems and builds underwater remotely operated robot platforms for defense, transportation, energy, and scientific applications. The company now has more than 50 people working at its Cordage Park facility.
“We are honored to receive this award and to contribute to the vibrant blue economy in Plymouth,” said Ben Kinnaman, CEO of Greensea IQ, in a press release. “Our decision to set up our production facility for hardware and the remote command center for our worldwide EverClean service in this region is a testament to the incredible talent and resources found here.”
For more information about Blue Future 24, go here.
Michael Cohen can be reached at michael@plymouthindependent.org.