Port of Wilmington awarded $6 million federal grant to expand freight capacity
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Port of Wilmington has been awarded more than $6 million in federal funding to expand its freight handling capacity and improve operations.
U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, R-NC, announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the port $6,002,296 through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program.
The funding will support the development of 140 commercial truck parking spaces, 50 freight container staging positions and infrastructure designed to improve security and operational efficiency.
According to Rouzer’s office, the improvements are intended to help the port accommodate growing freight volumes, improve coordination of truck pickups and deliveries, and reduce delays.
“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. “I’m pleased to see this investment come to our community, which will help ensure the Port of Wilmington can continue to support economic growth across the region.”
Brian Clark, executive director of the North Carolina State Ports Authority, said the improvements align with the agency’s long-term operational goals.
“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 Port of Wilmington serves as a shipping hub for southeastern North Carolina, connecting regional businesses with domestic and international markets.
The INFRA program provides competitive federal grants for freight and highway projects considered nationally or regionally significant. The program is intended to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of freight and passenger transportation.
The announcement did not specify when construction on the improvements would begin or when the project is expected to be completed.
