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Crenshaw Secures Huge Funding Win for Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project

Congressman Worked Extensively to Obtain $9 Million for Port Development


June 25, 2008


Contact:  Jeremy Steffens (202) 225-2501

(Washington, DC)
– Today, Congressman Ander Crenshaw announced that the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project will receive $9 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2009 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.  The effort capped a 3 year, hard fought effort by Crenshaw to secure funding to complete Phase II dredging in the St. Johns federal shipping channel.  

Rep. Crenshaw said, “I am extremely pleased that this crucial project has received the funding it deserves. This is a tremendous day for JAXPORT and our whole community.  Finishing this project will give the Port the competitive edge it needs for future business.”

The expansion of the dredging had been at a standstill until Congress appropriated the funds to finish the project.  Crenshaw worked tirelessly with colleagues on Capitol Hill including fellow Jacksonville Congresswoman Corrine Brown to include the funding in this year’s legislation.

JAXPORT is the nation’s 2nd busiest vehicle handling port and the 13th busiest container port.  It handled over 8.6 million tons of cargo last year, has over 50,000 employees and has a $3 billion economic impact on Northeast Florida each year.  The Port Authority anticipates the number of employees to grow to 75,000 and double its local economic impact over the next decade.

“The Port is such a huge driving force in our local economy, and finalizing the channel will make JAXPORT an even more attractive investment,” said Crenshaw. “Today’s actions in Congress will mean more business for the Port and will secure Jacksonville’s future as a premier facility on the East Coast.”

Originally authorized in the 1999 Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), the dredging of the St. John’s River channel has been a phased project aimed at deepening a 5.3 mile section to 40 feet.

The Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill was approved by Congressman Crenshaw and his colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee today and will be scheduled for consideration by the full House of Representatives in July.

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June 2008 Press Releases

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