New Orleans, The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) is set to embark on a transformative journey with the recent announcement of a $73.77 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This crucial funding will propel the first phase of construction for the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT), a groundbreaking $1.8 billion project aimed at enhancing cargo movement along the Mississippi River and U.S. inland waterways
The DOT’s MEGA Grant Program will play a pivotal role in advancing the LIT project, supplementing substantial contributions from private industry partners and Port NOLA. Governor John Bel Edwards expressed gratitude, emphasizing the bipartisan backing received from various ports across six states and key trade and agriculture associations in America’s heartland.
Governor Edwards praised the Biden Administration, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and the DOT for recognizing the project’s significance. He affirmed that the Louisiana International Terminal would stand as a beacon of economic development, leveraging the power of the Mississippi River to create opportunities and economic growth for residents and businesses across the state.
Gateway to Economic Prosperity
Situated in Violet, Louisiana, the state-of-the-art LIT is poised to eliminate air-draft restrictions, allowing vessels of all sizes to call on the Port of New Orleans. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy highlighted the far-reaching benefits, stating, “The funding will not only benefit the Port but also create numerous jobs and boost our communities. We are building an economy for 2050.”
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the grant enables the Port of New Orleans to modernize and grow its operations, ensuring its role as an economic driver for the region. With strategic inland growth in mind, the LIT is positioned to significantly increase Louisiana’s import and export capacity.
The Louisiana International Terminal aligns with the goals of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, securing critical investments in water systems, roads, bridges, and broadband. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves underscored the project’s strategic advantage, leveraging a newly deepened Mississippi River and Louisiana’s robust transportation network to connect the state with 31 northern watershed states and international markets to the south.
Port NOLA President and CEO Brandy D. Christian expressed gratitude for the collective effort that led to the grant award. Christian highlighted the potential of the LIT to serve as a new efficient gateway, meeting market demands for supply chain solutions and fostering prosperity for generations.
The Louisiana International Terminal represents a historic public-private partnership between Port NOLA and two leading terminal operators, Ports America and Mediterranean Shipping Company. With commitments totaling $800 million, this partnership underscores a significant investment in the project’s success.
Louisiana lawmakers have also demonstrated their commitment, allocating funds for early development costs and the design of the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor. This corridor will connect the terminal to the interstate system, addressing a long-standing need for St. Bernard Parish.
LIT emerges as the largest public economic development project in Louisiana, poised to generate 32,000 new jobs nationwide, with 18,000 in Louisiana and 4,300 in St. Bernard Parish. The project’s expected impact extends to over $1 billion in new state and local tax revenue by 2050, reinforcing its significance in shaping the economic landscape.
In conclusion, the grant from the U.S. DOT marks a significant milestone for Port NOLA and the Louisiana International Terminal, propelling the region into a new era of economic growth and connectivity.
