MONTGOMERY — To increase shipping on the Tennessee River, particularly in northwest Alabama, a nearly $1 million federal grant will be used to renovate part of the Florence-Lauderdale Port Authority port on the Tennessee River.
The $999,999 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will help increase commerce and improve water transportation in Alabama, said Gov. Kay Ivey.
The grant is part of the Appalachian Regional Initiative for Strong Economies project which also involves making improvements at the Yellow Creek State Inland Port in nearby Iuka, Miss.
The Yellow Creek project received a separate allocation.
Together, the projects will enhance access and navigation as far north as the Ohio-Mississippi-Missouri River network and as far south as Mobile Bay.
“This project will bring multiple benefits to Alabama by increasing the capacity for companies to ship by waterway in our state and allowing more goods to reach the market,” Ivey said. “Alabama’s navigable waterways have been an important mode of transportation for hundreds of years, and this project will help ensure that will continue well into the future.”
ARC funds will be used to upgrade two mooring/crane cells that port authority officials said are well beyond their expected service life. The improvements are expected to increase tonnage capacity through the Florence-Lauderdale Port Authority by about 50%.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant.
“With more industries locating in north Alabama, river transportation is becoming increasingly important to import raw materials and export finished products,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA along with Gov. Ivey and so many other partners are thankful to the Appalachian Regional Commission for coming onboard with these projects that will bring many benefits.”
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Lauderdale County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
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