WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today announced the West Calcasieu Port in Sulphur, Louisiana will receive a $4.2 million grant from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The grant will fund critical port upgrades that will boost economic activity and provide services during a hurricane. The project is expected to help create 400 jobs.
“Louisiana’s ports are key to a prosperous economy. Hurricanes place these ports at risk. Increasing resiliency is important for preserving prosperity. Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Ross for awarding this grant,” said Dr. Cassidy.
“The Trump Administration is working hard to fulfill its commitment to rebuild communities devastated by natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “These improvements will boost the Port’s capacity to serve the critical maritime transportation needs in the region and to boost job growth in the local community.”
The grant will fund the construction of a bulkhead and crane pad for loading and unloading barges at the West Calcasieu Port. The project results from regional planning efforts led by the Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and Development Commission, and was funded by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, in which Congress appropriated $600 million to the EDA for disaster relief and recovery as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and other 2017 natural disasters under the Stafford Act.
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