$292.7M in Funding Announced for Ports
Just last month, the United States Department of Transportation announced a new Port Infrastructure Development Program.
The announcement is paired with a $292.7 million notice of funding opportunity.
About the Program
Focused on improving safety and the reliability of movement of goods through the nation’s ports, as well as efficiency, the new program is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, which was published by Congress in February of this year.
The appropriated funding for the grant program is broken down into two categories:
Additionally, all projects should in some way improve the safety, reliability or efficiency of the movement of goods into, out of, around or within a port, as well as loading and unloading cargo processes.
Based on merit as defined by NOFO, money will be awarded to those who pass a competition for both coastal seaports and external boundaries of coastal seaports and whose efforts relate to either intermodal connections to ports or port operations.
Projects are to be evaluated on the use of federal funds, domestic preference, outcomes, geographic diversity, benefits and project costs.
“This major investment in the Port Infrastructure Development Program will help strengthen, modernize, and improve our country’s maritime systems and gateway ports,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
To be eligible, a coastal seaport must accommodate deep-draft vessels directly from foreign or domestic seaports. Grant applications are to be submitted through the grants.gov website.
