A wind farm off Atlantic City is $47 million closer to reality as local and state officials celebrated a federal loan for the long-gestating project.

“The Fishermen’s Energy Atlantic City wind farm has the potential to become the first … wind project in the United States. And that could potentially make Atlantic City the birthplace of offshore wind in America,” U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said in an appearance Thursday at Steel Pier alongside Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian, state Sen. Jim Whelan and Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo.

Menendez strained to speak over the noise of the rides at the Steel Pier, on an appropriately windy day in the resort.

Others in attendance included representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy, Democratic congressional candidate Bill Hughes, and board members of Fishermen’s Energy.