Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has announced that the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority (HFCRA) will receive $3,295,879 in federal funding. This funding will be used to replace aging port infrastructure and upgrade critical docking capabilities at the riverport. The funding is made possible through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program.

Senator McConnell played a key role in securing this federal funding for the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he contacted the DOT in support of HFCRA’s competitive federal application and advocated for DOT funding in both the FY2023 federal government funding bill and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The federal funding will have a significant impact on the riverport. It will overhaul the existing port infrastructure, increasing its throughput capacity and enhancing operational safety. Furthermore, it will enable future commercial and industrial development in the region.

"Kentucky’s waterways support thousands of good-paying jobs and billions in economic development each year. As our Commonwealth’s only public port along the Mississippi River, HFCRA connects Kentucky’s many businesses to this vital waterway, which has been the backdrop of U.S. industrial growth for generations," said Senator McConnell. He expressed his pride in leveraging his role in the Senate to help HFCRA receive this federal grant and his anticipation of seeing the investment pay dividends for Kentucky’s communities along the river.

The HFCRA Executive Director, Greg Curlin, expressed his gratitude for the federal funding. He stated, "I’m thrilled to see the Department of Transportation award this federal funding to HFCRA. This investment will allow us to make critical repairs and upgrades to our infrastructure so we can meet growing demand in the future. We’re thankful for the support of our local leaders and particularly Senator McConnell, who helped advocate on our behalf in Washington."

The funding provided by the DOT will ensure that the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport can continue to serve as a vital transportation hub and contribute to the economic growth of the region. With these improvements, the riverport will be better equipped to handle increased traffic and support the businesses that rely on it.

The federal funding is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a bipartisan infrastructure law championed by Senator McConnell. This law provides Kentucky with billions of federal dollars over five years to improve various aspects of the state's infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railroads, riverports, airports, and broadband.

The investment in the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport reflects the commitment to supporting the economic development and job creation in Kentucky. With the upgrades and improvements funded by the federal grant, the riverport will be well-positioned to meet the future demands of the region and contribute to its continued success.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=CF4DF79A-14B0-4794-9D3F-CA62BAC50366