The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration looks to transform the nation's infrastructure in regards to the logistics industry with a new grant program that will provide $230 million to modernize ports. This past year, the United States underwent a series of logistics disruptions in regards to COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, resulting in job less and continuous goods outages. This new program looks to increase jobs and introduce technology into the nation's ports to improve the logistics industry in the United States. The news follows a series of recent intramodal announcements, suggesting a renaissance for the rail industry.
Per U.S. Department of Transportation:
- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encouraging states and port authorities to apply for $230 million in discretionary grant funding for port and intermodal infrastructure-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).
- Secretary Buttigieg announced this funding at a White House event focused on the development of offshore wind energy programs. Over the past two years, 12 percent of Port Infrastructure Development Program grant applicants included the anticipated development of wind energy facilities and the movement of wind energy components as part of their project proposals. This year’s grant funding will bolster these efforts.
- The Port Infrastructure Development Program supports the efficient movement of commerce upon which our economy relies. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that strengthen and modernize port infrastructure and support the Nation’s long-term economic vitality. In keeping with the priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department’s review process will also consider how proposed projects address climate change and environmental justice impacts and advance racial equity, reduce barriers to opportunity, and meet challenges faced by rural areas.
“Our nation’s ports are a key part of our critical infrastructure. They create jobs and make our economy more resilient and sustainable,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “This funding will build upon local investments in infrastructure to deliver long-term economic benefits to American workers and communities, while also addressing climate and equity.”
