Frog Ferry, a proposed electric passenger ferry service for Portland’s Willamette River, announced Wednesday the launch of a community ownership model — aiming to become the first community-owned electric ferry service in the United States. Ownership shares are available starting at $300, with contribution levels reaching up to $900,000, which includes the opportunity to name one of the vessels.

In its pilot phase, the ferry would connect Cathedral Park in St. Johns to RiverPlace Marina in downtown Portland, with the broader goal of linking waterfront neighborhoods across the city. Organizers say the service would help reduce traffic congestion and emissions in Portland, a city that ranks among the worst in the U.S. for traffic, while also strengthening emergency response capabilities.

The announcement drew support from Oregon State Senator Bruce Starr, State Representative Daniel Nguyen, and former Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy, who highlighted the Packers’ community ownership model as a parallel. Frog Ferry cited successful ferry systems in Seattle, Boston, Vancouver B.C., and San Francisco as proof of concept for the initiative.