HARLINGEN — A $3.9 million federal grant will be used to renovate the dock and related facilities at the Port of Harlingen, port officials say.
The grant was announced this week and comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Grant Program.
“We are more than excited to be awarded these grant funds, which will go toward making critical improvements to our port and is a major step in our plan to expand opportunities and the demands of our current operations,” said Port Director Walker Smith.
“These funds will allow us to undertake much needed rehabilitation of our main dock and mooring structures throughout our turning basin,” he added. “It not only gives us an opportunity to modernize our port, but also increases accessibility, sustainability and safety for those who move goods through the Port of Harlingen.”
Funds for the Port Infrastructure Development Program are awarded on a competitive basis to projects that improve the safety, efficiency or reliability of the movement of goods into and around U.S. ports.
“The Port of Harlingen is a critical component of our district and region’s economic well-being. I am proud to make this announcement on behalf of our community and I look forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony of this historic infrastructure improvement project,” said U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores. “Given our strategic location on the Gulf Coast, ensuring our ports are running efficiently and at full capacity benefits us all.”
In addition to grant funds, the port is investing a local match of 25 percent of the project’s cost.
Dock rehabilitation also opens more capabilities at the Port of Harlingen.
“The proposed project supports our national, state, and regional logistics chain by providing crucial repair and maintenance of two of the port’s marine docks and mooring structures, which are used for the import and export of approximately 83 percent of this port’s total annual tonnage,” said Alan Johnson, chair of the port commission.
