New London —  The National Coast Guard Museum Association has received more than $1.5 million in contributions from member companies of the national advocate for the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry.

The board of directors of the American Waterways Operators has encouraged all its members to make a contribution to the National Coast Guard Museum planned for downtown New London.

To date, $1.66 million in contributions have been received from AWO member companies, including Kirby Corporation, Ingram Barge Company, AEP River Operations, American Commercial Lines, Canal Barge Company and McAllister Towing.

"With the strong support from AWO, we have surpassed $30 million in support including a $20 million commitment from the state," Wes Pulver, executive director of the museum association, said.

The state of Connecticut has committed $20 million for a pedestrian bridge that will provide access to the museum.

In an op-ed that appeared on Oct. 25 in The Day, Pulver and Dick Grahan, president/CEO of the museum association, wrote that "private financial investment" in the museum increased by nearly $2 million in recent days, "with corporate donors from throughout the United States lending support."

Pulver said by phone Wednesday that most of the money the museum association has received so far, aside from the state's commitment, is from corporate donors.

Though he noted the strong support of individual donations, especially from the local community.