Port Of Wilmington Awarded $6 Million Federal Grant

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Port of Wilmington has been awarded a $6 million federal grant to expand truck parking and freight container capacity.

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $6,002,296 through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program, according to Congressman David Rouzer.

The money will be used to develop 140 commercial truck parking spaces, 50 freight container staging positions and other infrastructure intended to improve port operations.

Rouzer said the improvements are expected to help the port handle growing freight volumes and reduce delays involving pickups and deliveries.

“The Port of Wilmington connects Southeastern North Carolina to the world. As freight demand continues to grow, these improvements will help move goods more efficiently, strengthen our supply chains, and support the businesses, workers, and communities who rely on the port,” Rouzer said.

Brian Clark, Executive Director of the North Carolina State Ports Authority, said the improvements are part of efforts to increase efficiency and strengthen the port’s role in the state economy.

“This award and the associated projects work in concert to propel North Carolina Ports to achieve its winning aspiration of being the Southeast’s most trusted, preferred, efficient, customer centric gateway by providing seamless, diversified total cost-advantage solutions for customers, bolstering North Carolina’s economy,” Clark said.

The federal INFRA program provides competitive grants for major freight and highway projects intended to improve the movement of goods and people.