Applications Due End-July for Port Infrastructure Development Grants

The Maritime Administration on April 16 issued a notice stating that the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 is making $230 million available for the Port Infrastructure Development Program to make grants to improve facilities within, or outside of, and directly related to operations of or intermodal connection to coastal seaports, inland river ports and Great Lakes ports. The Federal Register notice establishes selection criteria and application requirements for the grants. The Act directs that at least $205 million of the appropriated funds are dedicated for grants to coastal seaports or Great Lakes ports. Additionally, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 directs that not less than $41.4 million are allocated for projects at “small Ports and Terminals.”

Eligible projects are limited to: port gate improvements; road improvements both within and connecting to the port; rail improvements both within and connecting to the port; berth improvements (including docks, wharves, piers, and dredging incidental to the improvement project}; fixed landside improvements in support of cargo operations (such as silos, elevators, conveyors, container terminals, Ro/Ro structures including parking garages necessary for intermodal freight transfer, warehouses including refrigerated facilities, lay-down areas, transit sheds, and other such facilities); utilities necessary for safe operations (including lighting, stormwater, and other such improvements that are incidental to a larger infrastructure project); or a combination of activities described above. Applications are due by July 30.