Waterways Commission awards nearly $700,000 to 3 ports

The Arkansas Waterways Commission has awarded more than $698,000 in funding to three public ports through the Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterways Grant Program.

The Arkansas Port, Intermodal and Waterways Grant program benefits public ports by reinvesting the ad valorem tax paid by industries on the value of the commodities shipped via Arkansas’ navigable waterways.

The grant money provides funds for public ports and intermodal authorities to make capital improvements and facilitates much needed dredging projects.

The CY2023 Arkansas Port Intermodal and Waterways Grant awardees include:

Chicot-Desha Metropolitan Port Authority/Yellow Bend Port was awarded $192,000 to replace port conveyer belt components;
Helena-West Helena/Phillips County Port Authority was awarded $287,613 to go toward Phase I of the Helena Harbor Rail Expansion Project; and
Osceola Port Authority was awarded $218,700 for port warehouse roof refurbishment.

“Continuous maintenance and improvement of our ports is crucial in ensuring our state’s ongoing economic health,” said Arkansas Waterways Commission Director Cassandra Caldwell. “We are pleased to once again facilitate the flow of these tax dollars back into the infrastructure of Arkansas’ waterways.”

The grant was established by Act 1483 of the 89th General Assembly.