The Northwest Marine Trades Association has opened its annual Grow Boating Program to applications for grants and loans from boating and fishing organizations in the Pacific Northwest. The association has spent more than $1.6 million since 2003 to promote boating in the region.

The association said on its website that the funding comes through a surcharge on square footage rented during the Seattle Boat Show each January. The Grow Boating Committee oversees the application process and names recipients annually. It determines which programs, events and promotions will most effectively encourage boating in the region.

Last year, the committee awarded a total of $27,083 in funding or loans to 21 boating programs in the Pacific Northwest.

“NMTA'S Grow Boating Program serves the NMTA's core purpose—to increase the number of boaters in the Northwest,” said the web page. “The program's mission: To increase the number of boaters and encourage current boaters to boat more often through the development of programs, events and promotions.”