ICYMI: Biden-Harris Administration Delivers Over $703 Million to Improve Port Infrastructure, Strengthen Supply Chains, and Lower Costs for American Families
Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced more than $703 million to improve port facilities through the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). This year’s awards, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and additional Congressional appropriations, will support coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports. Awarded projects will improve supply chain reliability through increased port capacity and resiliency, more efficient operations, reduced port emissions, and new workforce opportunities.
This year’s awards will support 41 projects in 22 states and one territory and will benefit both rural and urban areas. In addition, more than 60% of awards will benefit ports in historically disadvantaged communities.
More than $150 million in awards include a focus on electrification of port equipment that will reduce emissions and improve air quality. And nearly $100 million will go to port projects that advance offshore wind deployment to support the president’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030: enough to power 10 million homes and support 77,000 good-paying jobs.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law nearly doubled funding for PIDP over 2021 levels. All told, the law will invest more than $17 billion to improve and modernize America’s port infrastructure
Together, these investments will help get goods to shelves faster and lower costs for American families.
To learn more about PIDP and view a full list of this year’s award recipients, click here.
See below for coverage of last week’s announcement.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
National Coverage
Reuters: U.S. to spend $703 million on improving ports
The Trucker News: New national port improvement plan will also benefit truck drivers
The Maritime Executive: Alaska and California Receive Over $200M from DOT for Port Upgrades
“Ports, harbors, and the Alaska Marine Highway System are all essential to our state, serving as a lifeline that connects our coastal communities,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski. “These new Port Infrastructure Development Program grants will be the first of many additional opportunities to deliver vital port-related infrastructure funding to our state that will bring benefits to Alaska for decades to come.”
Freight Waves: Terminal, port infrastructure projects find public, private partners
Select Local Coverage
Boston Globe: Feds grant Salem $33.8 million award for offshore wind port
The terminal, which [Crowley Wind Services] says will create more than 800 full-time positions, could be a gamechanger for Salem’s economy.
EIN Newsdesk: Port Muskogee Awarded $34.9 Million in Infrastructure Grants
WJBK Detroit: Department of Transportation invests $16 million for port of Detroit
KATV Little Rock: More than $6 million federal dollars going to Helena Harbor upgrades
“There are a lot of rural communities, lower income communities, that maybe haven’t had the political power to get resources. We think it’s very important we’re supporting communities of all sizes,” Buttigieg said.
KFVS12 Eddyville: Eddyville Riverport awarded nearly $5 million for expansion
“Receiving this grant gives the Eddyville Riverport a tremendous opportunity to be able to expand business opportunities for our rural Kentucky community,” said Eddyville Riverport Treasurer Glen Kinder IV. “This expansion will create additional shoreline that is absolutely necessary to expanding Eddyville’s economic development on Lake Barkley and the Cumberland River.”
KITV Honolulu: Hawaii receives $47 million to improve ports, strengthen supply chain
KUAR Little Rock: U.S. Transportation Secretary talks about $6 million for Arkansas port project
“In the long run, any investment in the efficiency of our supply chains is also an investment in the fight against inflation. It’s not just the physical cost of the inputs, it’s the cost of moving them around that’s helped to create a lot of upward pressure on prices in recent months,” Buttigieg said.
KXRO News Aberdeen: $25.5 million for Port of Grays Harbor project part of national funding
“This announcement is about jobs. It’s about creating economic opportunity. Our ports are amazing engines of economic development in our region. Improving our port’s infrastructure to support their ability to export American products abroad shouldn’t fall on the backs of taxpayers in Grays Harbor,” said Rep. Kilmer.
Newport Buzz: Biden Administration Announces $11.25 Million to Fund Port Infrastructure at Quonset
Press-Telegram: Port of Long Beach gets $30 million from feds for infrastructure project
SI Live: Staten Island wind turbine facility gets big boost: $48M in federal funding
“This vital federal investment in Arthur Kill Terminal will provide New York a critical foothold in the offshore wind supply chain and create tremendous opportunities for new jobs, including for union workers, and local spending,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
The Day: Federal funds kick start marine facility project in New London
“This is really now just going to raise New London’s game in terms of being a very vibrant stakeholder and player in the maritime economy of the 21st century,” [U.S. Rep. Joe] Courtney said.
The Monroe News: Port of Monroe receives $11M in funding from federal government
WFRV Green Bay: ‘Support local industries and employ thousands’: Port of Green Bay to develop state-of-the-art facility
“This is great news for the Port and our regional economy,” said Port Director Dean Haen. “This new port facility at the mouth of the Fox River will generate jobs and economic activity that will be transformational for Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin.”
WKYC Cleveland: Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority receives $27 million from Department of Transportation
“Great Lakes ports are the avenues through which American commerce flows,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) in a statement released on Monday. “Modernizing the Port of Cleveland for the 21st century is an investment in our supply chains, our companies, and our workers.”
KATU2 News Portland: $24 million to be awarded to Port of Portland for infrastructure improvements
Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold stressed that the grant will allow many necessary upgrades to Oregon’s only marine terminal, such as improving operational conditions and increasing efficiency and productivity.
“Perhaps most significantly, the grant will allow us to reduce our impact on the environment and ensure that those whose livelihood depends on trade, especially those in rural communities, will continue to have access to national and global markets,” said Robinhold.
12 News Beaumont: ‘We want to grow and create jobs’: Port of Beaumont to receive $26.4M infrastructure development grant
“It will result in emissions reductions and safety benefits because you’ll be removing vehicles from the I-10 corridor from Beaumont to Houston and we’ll be putting that cargo on barges,” said Port of Beaumont Director of Corporate Affairs Sadé Chick.
