PA Port receives $20M grant
Published 6:12 pm Friday, December 7, 2018
The Port of Port Arthur is looking to receive a $20 million federal grant to construct 1,000 feet of wharf and related infrastructure.
Funding for the grant comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, grant program, according to information from U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
Larry Kelley, Port director, was obviously pleased to receive the news.
“This is great news for the Port and our community. The wharf 6 expansion means sustainable jobs and economic development for Port Arthur,” Kelley said. “It also has benefits for the state and the nation as a net exporter.”
Kelley said he is humbled by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and the administration selecting the Port of Port Arthur as a grant recipient.
“The competition is tough, some years over 1,000 apply and around 5 percent are awarded. A very small percentage of that 5 percent are U.S. ports. In all years of the program the dollar amount of requests far exceed the available funds,” he said. “Each award is for infrastructure to help strengthen the U.S. transportation network.”
Applications were presented in every previous grant round and that ‘obviously persistence pays off.’
He also gave kudos to the Port staff and board of commissioners: John Comeaux, Raymond Johnson, Mark Underhill, Linda Turner Spears and Norris Simon, who are focused on the Port and the community.
In addition, there were letters of support submitted from Cornyn, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, U.S. Congressman Randy Weber, R-Texas, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, Port Arthur Mayor Derrick Freeman, the Sabine Neches Navigation District, Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, the Texas delegation and more.
“The awarded project, adds 1,000 feet of dock and is designed to match the future deepening of the Sabine Neches Waterway. At present, the project has reached 50 percent design,” he said. “Conservatively, we anticipate commencing some of the initial phases of construction in late 2019 or early 2020.”
Weber sent the Port a letter of congratulations upon learning of the grant award.
“Long awaited, the Port of Port Arthur is finally receiving its $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help fund the on-deck rail extension of Berth 6,” Weber said in his letter to the Port. “As a designated Strategic Seaport, the Port supports local, state and national transportation priorities. Along with bolstering our national security, this grant project provides for job creation and economic development in an area still recovering from Hurricane Harvey. I am happy to see the Port receive this USDOT grant. Congratulations!”