STEARNS URGED CORPS TO FUND DREDGING OPERATIONS AT JAXPORT IN LETTER SENT IN MARCH

Washington, Apr 28, 2009 - “I am very pleased to announce that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing the funding I sought for dredging operations at the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), and I deeply appreciate the support for this funding from my colleagues in the Jacksonville area,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth). “These dredging operations will allow modern container ships to access the port, bringing in an additional 5,600 jobs to the area. Already, JAXPORT supports 50,000 jobs and contributes $2.7 billion to the local economy.”

In March 2009, Stearns wrote to John Paul Woodley, Jr., the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to request the funding of these projects. Stearns noted the significance of JAXPORT to the economy of northeast Florida and how dredging would increase economic activity in the region. The Corps today announced that it is providing $16.1 million for the JAXPORT projects.