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The U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced nearly $450 million in newly available grant funding for port-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP)\u2014by far the largest investment in the program ever. These grants can help ports expand capacity and improve the movement of goods through the supply chains.<\/p>\n
This funding is made possible by President Biden\u2019s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is nearly double last year\u2019s investment in PIDP for states and port authorities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest $17 billion in ports and waterways.\u202f\u202f<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re proud to announce this funding to help ports improve their infrastructure\u2014 to get goods moving more efficiently and help keep costs under control for American families,\u201d said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. \u201cPresident Biden is leading the largest ever federal investment in modernizing our country\u2019s ports, which will improve our supply chains and the lives of Americans who depend on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
These grants demonstrate continued action on commitments in the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s Port Action Plan, which will strengthen our supply chains to meet demand resulting from the rapid economic recovery over the past year, and help address inflationary pressures. These grants also meet policy recommendations in DOT\u2019s one-year supply chain report that is focused on improving the movement of goods from ships to shelves. The report will be released tomorrow.<\/p>\n
PIDP grants are awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that will improve the movement of goods to, through and around ports. Furthermore, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls upon applicants to explore ways to include projects that will improve goods movement while also strengthening resilience, reducing emissions and advancing environmental justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe historic investments made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help remove bottlenecks by enabling ports to expand capacity and improve intermodal connections,\u201d said Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley. \u201cThe grant funds will also create new jobs across the U.S. maritime industry.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
To provide technical assistance, the Department will host a series of webinars explaining the Port Infrastructure Development Program grant application process. Details and registration information regarding these webinars will be made available here<\/a>. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n