WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today urged Louisiana ports to apply for grant funding through The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) newly announced Port Infrastructure Development Program. The DOT is making available $292.7 million in discretionary grant funds to support public coastal ports by improving the safety, efficiency, or reliability of goods movement into, out of, or within a port.
“The Trump administration has been committed to improving our country’s infrastructure and this new grant program is a great opportunity for Louisiana ports,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Developing our ports will improve our economy and create jobs for Louisiana workers. Louisiana ports should apply for these grants. I will assist the ports as much as possible.”
“This major investment in the Port Infrastructure Development Program will help strengthen, modernize, and improve our country’s maritime systems and gateway ports,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Louisiana ports which are the driver for all industries in and out of our state,” Ports Association Executive Director Jennifer Marusak said. “We are extremely grateful to Senator Cassidy for his work to ensure that our ports remain safe and we can remain competitive in the global market in which we thrive.”
Investments in port transportation infrastructure will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects located either within the boundary of a coastal seaport, or outside the boundary of a coastal seaport, and directly relate to port operations or to an intermodal connection to a port.
The Department will evaluate projects using criteria which include leveraging federal funds, project costs and benefits, project outcomes, project readiness, and domestic preference. The Department will also consider geographic diversity when selecting grant recipients.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 made available $292.7 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program. The minimum award size is $10 million, with a federal cost share not to exceed 80 percent.
Additionally, the Department anticipates awarding funding to at least one project that advances each of the following project outcomes:
- Advance technology supported safety, design efficiency improvements
- Improve state of good repair and resiliency
- Promote efficient energy trade
- Promote manufacturing, agriculture, or other forms of exports
- For only the top 15 coastal ports, a project that supports the safe flow of agricultural and food products, free of pests and disease, domestically and internationally
To provide technical assistance, DOT will host a series of webinars during the Port Infrastructure Development Program grant application process. Details and registration information regarding these webinars will be made available at https://www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants
The deadline to submit an application for the Port Infrastructure Development Program is 8 p.m. EDT September 16, 2019.
For more information, please visit https://www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants or email ports@dot.gov.
###