Arkansas Public Port Development Underway as Grants Provide Needed Funding
LITTLE ROCK, AR (October 11, 2017) — The Arkansas Waterways Commission's Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program benefits the public ports by reinvesting the ad valorem tax paid by industries on the value of the commodities shipped utilizing Arkansas' navigable waterways. This grant provides funds for public ports and intermodal authorities to make capital improvements and facilitates much-needed dredging projects.
Five projects were awarded grant funding as follows:
- Fort Smith Port Authority to construct a 30,0000 sq. ft. bulk storage warehouse
- Helena-West Helena/Phillips County Port Authority to complete Phase I of the Helena Harbor Water Tower Project
- Little Rock Port Authority to construct a warehouse
- Chicot-Desha Metropolitan Port Authority to conduct log retrieval from the dock area
- White River Regional Port Authority to construct a paved road to the port and install signage.
“This grant program increases Arkansas’ competitive advantage on the nation’s inland river system to entice increased waterborne commerce for the navigable rivers in Arkansas,” says Deidre Smith, Director. “The waterways are an economic driver for the state and water transportation is the most cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly mode of shipping bulk and oversized cargo.” The grant was established by Act 1483 of the 89th General Assembly. A copy of the grant rules and application can be obtained in the news section of the Commission’s website, waterways.arkansas.gov, or by calling (501) 682-1173.
The Arkansas Waterways Commission is the sole state agency responsible for developing, promoting and protecting waterborne transportation in Arkansas. The Commission also promotes economic development for ports on the five commercially navigable rivers of the state: Arkansas, Mississippi, Ouachita, Red and White Rivers.
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101 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 370, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
