La., Miss. ports awarded $Ms in funds

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced it has awarded more than $280M in discretionary grant funding through the Port Infrastructure Development Program. The funding is designed to improve port facilities at or near coastal seaports. PIDP supports efforts by ports and industry stakeholders to improve facility and freight infrastructure. Of the 15 projects awarded grants, six are located in Opportunity Zones, which were created to revitalize economically distressed communities using private investments. Two of the 15 projects are located on the Gulf Coast. *LaPlace, La. - Globalplex Multi-Modal Connections Project (awarded $13,410,662). Located at the Port of South Louisiana, the grant will be used to add multimodal connections and enhance the operation efficiency of Globalplex, a public port with a 335-acre maritime industrial park. The project consists of five construction components which, upon completion, will promote exports and improve the state of good repair and resiliency of the complex. *Harrison County, Miss. - Port of Gulfport Access Project (awarded $15,760,000) (Opportunity Zone). This grant will be used to improve the roadways leading to and from the entrance to the port, which serves all freight and military cargo. These improvements will promote exports and improve the resiliency of the pavement on local roads. This project is located in an Opportunity Zone. (Source: Marine Link 02/14/20) https://www.marinelink.com/news/us-ports-mln-marad-grants-475676.