Today, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $1,623,000 in federal funding to the Port of Morrow to assist with improving equipment and infrastructure in order to meet the needs of the Port’s marine terminals.
The funding will help extend the Port’s barge service and lead to reduced transportation costs and decreased road and rail traffic.
In October, Walden wrote to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao urging DOT to award this grant funding to the Port. The Port was able to apply for the grant due to DOT’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) designating the Port of Morrow for Marine Highway Project Designation and thus expand additional funding opportunities for the Port and simultaneously increase economic opportunity for the region.
“The Columbia River system is a valuable asset for transporting wheat and other products from eastern Oregon to the world and the Port of Morrow plays a pivotal role in that system,” said Walden. “Last summer, I worked with the Port of Morrow to secure Marine Highway Project Designation for the Port, which they earned in August. In the fall, I wrote a letter to Secretary Chao urging her to grant the Port of Morrow these funds so that they could modernize their infrastructure and help increase economic opportunity for the region. I want to thank Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for awarding these funds and continuing to provide for Oregonians.”
Port of Morrow Executive Director Ryan Neal said the grant will help produce good-paying jobs among other benefits to the region.
“Securing these funds was not a simple process and first required a formal designation from MARAD, making our project one of just thirty-four nationwide and only one of three on the West Coast,” Neal said. “I would like to express our thanks to Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, and Rep. Walden for going above and beyond with their support at every step of the process. With their help, the expanded barge service under this project will help create family wage jobs in the region, reduce transportation costs, and alleviate highway and rail congestion.”
