Oregon Sea Grant has returned handsome returns on that relatively paltry investment since it was established in 1971. The program employs about 40 people at its headquarters in Corvallis and in the coastal communities of Gold Beach, Bandon, Newport, Coos Bay and Astoria. It supports studies by other Oregon universities as well as fellowships and other educational opportunities for students.

And the program has produced impressive results: Projects undertaken or funded by Oregon Sea Grant include research on how ocean acidification impacts shellfish and how rising sea levels may affect estuaries. The program has worked with the Oregon fishing industry to improve direct-to-consumer sales and provides marine science training for coastal educators. The program says it generated more than $8 million in economic benefits during the 2015-16 fiscal year.

The program does more than just generate scientific research: It also has worked on earthquake preparedness and tsunami evacuation plans, vital issues for a West Coast that's within striking distance of the Cascadia subduction zone.