NORFOLK, Va. — The City of Norfolk is getting more than $39.2 million in federal funding to finance turning the Fairwinds Landing marine terminal into an offshore wind logistics facility.
"This base will support the nation's largest offshore wind project & anchor Fairwinds Landing's redevelopment into a nationally significant maritime industrial center," the City of Norfolk posted on social media on Monday.
The city will use the funding to renovate the waterfront infrastructure at Fairwinds Landing, which officials said will have three key components revamped. The renovation aims to better port capabilities for offshore wind operations and maintenance, heavy lift operations and cable loading operations.
The funding is coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT).
"Renovating the aging waterfront infrastructure at Fairwinds Landing is a critical step in establishing Hampton Roads as an offshore wind hub and highlights the benefits of the Federal Government’s investment in critical infrastructure," said Jerry Miller with Fairwinds Landing, LLC.
Mayor Kenny Alexander noted the investment "sparks new, eco-conscious innovative projects, ensuring a cleaner and greener future for our region and the Commonwealth."
US DOT granted the funding after the Norfolk Economic Development Authority and Fairwinds Landing, LLC. submitted a joint application. Alexander said he also met with the US DOT to discuss the project and clean energy last week.
This announcement comes nearly a week after Dominion Energy announced it received federal approval for a massive offshore wind farm off Virginia Beach.
For that project, the energy company plans to build 176 turbines more than 20 miles off the coast from the hotels and touristy boardwalk.
