U.S. DoC invests $10m to improve port infrastructure and support disaster recovery in Texas

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $10m in grants to the state of Texas to enhance critical port infrastructure to support business development and disaster resiliency following Hurricane Harvey. According to grantee estimates, the projects are expected to create and retain over 15,000 jobs and spur $9.8m in private investment.

The Port of Beaumont Navigation District in Beaumont will receive $5m to reconstruct three docks in support of the Main Street Terminal 1 Dock Project. The improved infrastructure will support additional cargo, resulting in increased economic activity and business growth for the region. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create or retain 15,760 jobs, while generating $9.8 million in private investment.

The Port of Port Arthur Navigation District receive $4.8m to make rail, storm drainage and roadway improvements to increase capacity and promote economic resiliency in the Southeast Texas Region. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create or retain 200 jobs and generate $36m in private investment.

These projects were made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission. EDA funds the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission to bring the public and private sectors together to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

“Hurricane Harvey’s 135 mph winds and historic flooding left the Texas Gulf Coast, including Port Arthur and the Port of Beaumont, with 250 miles of devastation,” said U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.

“The Port of Beaumont and the Port of Port Arthur are two critical ports on our Texas Gulf Coast,” said Congressman Randy Weber. “As the busiest military cargo port and a major break-bulk port, respectively, these two ports matter a great deal to our national economy and security. Harvey did damage to much of our region, and with these grants, we are getting our ports back in their best working condition.”

For more information visit: www.eda.gov

22nd October 2018