WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) and Representative David Rouzer (R-NC) announced a $16 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Port Infrastructure Development Program. Earlier this year, Senator Tillis wrote a letter to DOT Secretary Elaine Chao advocating on behalf of the Port of Wilmington for the grant.
This grant will provide funds for a new container gate project to increase capacity by utilizing technology and innovation. Investing in this project will allow drivers to enter and exit the port without stopping for processing and allow the Port of Wilmington to streamline container traffic flow throughout the terminal and open up additional yard storage capacity.
Read more about the grant award HERE.
“The Port of Wilmington plays an important role in transporting goods throughout North Carolina and is an economic hub in the Wilmington area,” said Senator Tillis. “I have visited the Port of Wilmington multiple times, and understand how crucial it is to continue investing in the port and improving it with updated technology. I am proud to have advocated on behalf of the Port of Wilmington to secure these federal resources, and I want to thank Secretary Chao for choosing North Carolina for this important grant.”
“North Carolina depends on our ports,” said Senator Burr. “This grant will allow the Port of Wilmington to utilize 21st century technologies to streamline its operations, expand its storage capacity, and grow North Carolina's economy. I applaud the Department of Transportation for recognizing the importance of this project and its contribution to job creation and economic expansion in our state."
“The Port of Wilmington is a significant economic driver for southeastern North Carolina and is a critical node for connecting our region to other markets,” said Representative Rouzer. “This investment will speed container processing times, enhancing even more an already attractive and reliable option for shippers. I’m grateful for the Trump Administration’s support for this important part of our region’s infrastructure.”
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