Fed grants for port logjams

Congress passed the $1.2T federal infrastructure package earlier this month sending about $4.46B to Mississippi over five years. The infrastructure deal garnered bipartisan support across the aisle of Mississippi’s delegation. The White House released an estimated breakdown of the money flow among states. It’s not clear whether states or local entities will get to spend the money. Much of the federal money will be given to states through Department of Transportation grants, but how states spend the money can differ. A segment of the infrastructure package includes $17B for ports and waterways. Numerous large ports – Savannah, Ga., Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif. - have seen log jams of shipping vessels snarled by supply-chain problems. Some of those ports will be able to redirect money from other federally funded projects to help ease those logjams under a Biden administration plan. Existing grant money could be used more quickly under the new policy. Ports in the U.S. are generally owned by states or other government entities, and run by boards. Many act as landlords for private companies that run cargo-handling operations. The administration said it would also make $240M in grant funding available in the next 45 days for ports and identify projects for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction at coastal ports and inland waterways within 60 days. (Source: Wall Street Journal 11/08/21) Biden Administration Outlines New Moves to Alleviate Supply-Chain Logjams at Ports - WSJ Regional Notes: Segments of the infrastructure bill for Louisiana ports and waterways, around $9.55B, would benefit the Port of Calcasieu, Port Fourchon, Port of New Orleans, Port of Baton Rouge, Port of South Louisiana, Port of Plaquemines and J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, (Source: Daily Advertise 11/09/21) Mississippi would see about $50B in port facility improvements. (Source: Natchez Democrat 11/09/21)