Port of Lake Charles Terminal Expansion Gains $10m

Sen. Landrieu Announces $10m for Port of Lake Charles Terminal Expansion

U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., a Senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced a $10 million grant for the Port of Lake Charles through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Grant Program. Today’s grant will expand the Port’s Bulk Terminal. In April, Sen. Landrieu wrote a letter in support of funding the Port of Lake Charles.

Today’s grant will create 1,500 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs at the Port.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Landrieu helped to secure $600 million in the FY14 Appropriations Act for the TIGER discretionary grant program despite strong opposition from the House of Representatives, which completely eliminated funding for this program.

“If you give Louisiana the tools for success, our state will rise to the occasion. The Port of Lake Charles is a perfect example of that, serving as a hub for economic trade for Louisiana and our country. With improved infrastructure they can keep the economic wheels of our country turning.  I remain committed to ensuring that crucial infrastructure is provided to our ports and roadways so that Louisiana can continue to grow economically,” said Sen. Landrieu. “Today’s grant will create 1,700 jobs in Southwest Louisiana and will expand the bulk terminal in Lake Charles to allow for the greater flow of goods in and out of our country. The Port of Lake Charles serves as a critical gateway for American-made goods to international markets and brings in millions of products from across the globe. I am proud to support the Port’s growth and our state’s continued economic expansion.”

“As a major economic engine is Southwest Louisiana, the Port is extremely grateful for this funding,” said Bill Rase, Executive Director of the Port of Lake Charles. “These funds will aide significantly in the needed expansion of the Port’s owned and operated bulk terminal facility which facilitates a $2.6 Billion economic development project moving forward. The development tied to the Port’s bulk loading and unloading facility is part of the estimated $77 billion in economic development related to the Calcasieu Ship Channel slated for the region.  The Port greatly appreciates the efforts of Senator Landrieu and her staff in their continuing support of this and other projects that will develop our local economy.”

TIGER Grants are a highly competitive program awarded through the Department of Transportation for infrastructure projects across the country. For FY14, the program received nearly 800 applicant requests totaling more than $9.5 billion. Only 72 applicants received TIGER Grants, three of those awardees are in Louisiana.

In addition to providing letters of support, last April, Sen. Landrieu hosted a TIGER grant workshop in Baton Rouge to give Louisiana applicants an opportunity to speak one on one with subject matter experts.