ROCKLAND – U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen has approved the city’s request to become an official Coast Guard City.

Dot Black, a member of the Coast Guard City Committee, said Tuesday that the official announcement was made Friday night before a gathering of more than 200 at the Rockland Elks Club for the second annual Coast Guard Appreciation Dinner.

“We made the final cut,” Black said of the nomination, adding that the process took three years.

“The Coast Guard’s decision to designate Rockland as an official ‘Coast Guard City’ is a tribute to the longstanding and special relationship that the city and its residents have with the United States Coast Guard,” said Maine’s Republican U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in a joint statement. “It truly is a fitting tribute to those who have welcomed the men and women of the Coast Guard into their community for many years.”

Last year, Snowe and Collins sent a letter to Allen in support of Rockland’s request. In addition, representatives from their offices have participated in the annual “Coast Guard Birthday” celebration at the Maine Lobster Festival in support of the designation.

According to the Coast Guard, the intent of the Coast Guard City program, in accordance with federal law, is to provide for the recognition of those cities that, in return, have made special efforts to acknowledge the professional work of the Coast Guard men and women assigned to their area by regularly reaching out to them and their families and making them feel “at home at their home away from home.”

City Manager Tom Hall said the benefit to Rockland is one of good will.

“There’s no monetary benefit,” he said, but an advantage is the consistency of good will the city gives incoming personnel. “They’re only here for a few years, and then they leave. We want to make them feel welcome while they’re here.”

Eight U.S. communities have been officially designated Coast Guard Cities. In addition to Rockland, they are Eureka, Calif.; Mobile, Ala.; Morgan City, La.; Wilmington, N.C.; Newport, Ore.; Alameda, Calif.; and Kodiak, Alaska.

Congress is expected to give final approval in 90 days.

gchappell@bangordailynews.net

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