RELEASE: HILL, BOOZMAN, COTTON ANNOUNCE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FOR LITTLE ROCK PORT AUTHORITY
LITTLE ROCK, AR,
May 31, 2022
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Dan Schneider
(202-981-3451)
Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02), along with Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) announced the Little Rock Port Authority (LRPA) as the recipient of a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), totaling over $5.5 million. The funding was made available through a discretionary grant program as part of the department's FY2021 budget, which the lawmakers all voted to approve. “LRPA serves as a vital economic engine for central Arkansas and continues to expand its freight capacity on the river and railways,” said Hill, Boozman, and Cotton. “This grant will facilitate much-needed railcar storage and an engine maintenance facility while improving safety for all users, reducing congestion on area roadways, and providing more environmentally friendly modes of commerce. We’re looking forward to following the continued economic growth in the region in the years to come.” “The Port of Little Rock is excited about receiving the CRISI grant and we thank our Congressional Delegation for always being supportive of our efforts. As Arkansas's largest industrial park, the Port of Little Rock must continue looking for ways to invest in our infrastructure to remain competitive on the global stage. This grant will help us meet current and future needs and allow the Port to keep growing jobs for our community," added Bryan Day, Executive Director, Port of Little Rock. In November 2021, Rep. Hill and Senators Boozman and Cotton sent DOT Secretary Buttigieg a letter outlining their support for the grant. This grant will support the Port of Little Rock Freight Rail Capacity Improvement Project, adding 11,215 feet of track at the Slackwater Harbor and north Marshaling Yard. This grant will also construct an engine maintenance facility at the LRPA which will have the capacity to store and service two locomotives with room for future expansion, house crew offices, a training room with modern technology and equipment, as well as rooms purposed for storage, training, and shelter in case of emergency. |
