U.S. DOT announces new funding to strengthen port infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced nearly $450 million in newly available grant funding for port-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). It is, by far, the largest investment in the program ever. These grants can help ports expand capacity and improve the movement of goods through supply chains.

This funding, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is nearly double last year’s investment in PIDP for states and port authorities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest a total of $17 billion in ports and waterways.

“We’re proud to announce this funding to help ports improve their infrastructure— to get goods moving more efficiently and help keep costs under control for American families,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “President Biden is leading the largest ever federal investment in modernizing our country’s ports, which will improve our supply chains and the lives of Americans who depend on them.”

These grants demonstrate continued action on commitments in the Biden-Harris Administration’s 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’s one-year supply chain report that is focused on improving the movement of goods from ships to shelves.

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.

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.

The deadline to submit an application for the Port Infrastructure Development Program is May 16, 2022. For more information, please visit here or email [email protected].

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