The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration is making more than $662 million in fiscal year 2023 or the Port Infrastructure Development Program under Maritime Administration.
The investment in MARAD's Port Infrastructure Development Program will help modernize the nation's ports, strengthening the supply chains and reducing shipping times and costs, ultimately leading to lower prices of goods for Americans, a news release said. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $450 million annually to the program.
"With today’s announcement, we are helping make our ports safer, more efficient and more reliable — strengthening supply chains, reducing costs for the American people and positioning us for economic success," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the release.
MARAD's Port Infrastructure Development Program discretionary grants assist eligible entities such as port authorities, states, local governments, Indigenous Tribal nations, counties and other qualified organizations in completing crucial port-related infrastructure projects, the release reported. The grants are awarded competitively to support projects that enhance the safety, efficiency and reliability of goods transportation through ports and intermodal connections to ports.
MARAD will also evaluate how the projects address objectives related to climate change and sustainability, equity and workforce development, according to the release.
Recent projects receiving funding include the installation of fast charging stations and other electrification components in the port of Jacksonville, Fla.; the creation of an intermodal rail yard near a port terminal in Kaskaskia, Ill.; and the modernization of electric and stormwater infrastructure, as well as warehouse capacity, for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority in Cleveland, Ohio, the release reported.
