摘要: |
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act brought tremendous opportunities for ports, but a somewhat constrained time window to take advantage of them. The deadline for this year's competitive Port Infrastructure Development Program grant proposals is May 16. Among the inland ports that have benefitted from PIDP grants recently are Granite City, 111.; Paducah, Ky.; Tell City, Ind.; Little Rock, Ark.; Bay St. Louis, Miss.; and Aberdeen, Miss. It's good that inland ports are represented, but given their importance, there should be many more inland port recipients. Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation announced that it was doubling funding for its Port Infrastructure Development Program, courtesy of the IIJA. But the increased funding came with changes in eligibility, program criteria and guidelines. These are mostly intended to broaden access and increase funding, but limitations and conditions still exist. Familiarizing yourself with the language now is probably a good idea for all port directors or those responsible for preparing grant applications, even those not planning to apply during this funding cycle. |