“Given our strategic location on the Gulf Coast, ensuring our ports are running efficiently and at full capacity benefits us all.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Texas Insider Report) — Congresswoman Mayra Flores (TX-34) is pleased to announce that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Port of Harlingen a discretionary grant award totaling $3,937,500. The grant will be used to renovate the Port of Harlingen’s main dock and related facilities, as well as provide necessary resources to re-compact critical uplands areas.
The Port of Harlingen provides an efficient and economical transportation link along the Texas Gulf Coast for shallow draft transport, and encompasses more than 2,000 acres of land with 650 linear feet of multi-cargo wharf and five docks.
“The Port of Harlingen is a critical component of our district and region’s economic well-being. I am proud to make this announcement on behalf of our community and I look forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony of this historic infrastructure improvement project,” said Congresswoman Flores.
“Given our strategic location on the Gulf Coast, ensuring our ports are running efficiently and at full capacity benefits us all.”
“We are more than excited to be awarded these grant funds. Grant funding will go toward making critical improvements to our Port and is a major step in our plan to expand opportunities and the demands of our current operations. These funds will allow us to undertake much needed rehabilitation of our main dock and mooring structures throughout our turning basin,” said Mr. Walker Smith, Port Director.
"It not only gives us an opportunity to modernize our port, but also increases accessibility, sustainability and safety for those who move goods through The Port of Harlingen. We will continue to work hard to bring funding to the area to improve our overall competitiveness and bring new opportunities for our surrounding communities,” said Smith.
As the second largest port in Cameron County, the Port of Harlingen handles about 2 million tons of cargo every year and supports over 9,700 jobs regionally.
- RELATED: Cong. Flores recently presented the Port of Harlingen with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of its 70th Anniversary.
