WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority a $3 million grant through the MARAD Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) Grants. These funds will help the port conduct a harbor-wide and regional planning study to help address the port’s comprehensive cargo handling, environmental, and economic development needs, in addition to regional planning goals.

“Lake Erie is not only an irreplaceable natural resource, but it’s also a key piece of our nations maritime economy,” said Brown. “These funds will play an important role in the continued economic resurgence of Northeast Ohio, not only by protecting existing commerce on the Great Lakes, but by encouraging job growth and future economic development at the Port of Cleveland.”

“The Port of Cleveland appreciates the staff at MARAD for their thoughtful consideration of our infrastructure needs here in Northeast Ohio. We thank Senator Brown and our entire Congressional delegation for their steadfast support of Ohio’s maritime industry. These funds will advance our critical infrastructure planning needs as we prepare for the cargoes of today and tomorrow,” said Port of Cleveland's President & CEO, Will Friedman.

For years, Brown has worked to secure important wins for Lake Erie through legislation and by speaking out against harmful proposals that threaten the health of Lake Erie.

Brown secured $1 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden in November. Funding will provide resources to communities to address the most serious issues that threaten the ecological and economic wellbeing of the Great Lakes basin, including invasive species, pollution, and toxic contamination.

Brown spoke out against President Trump's 2021 budget, which would have cut USDA conservation programs that help improve water quality in Lake Erie. Brown and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) worked together to ensure GLRI was not only reinstated but also fully funded after President Trump proposed eliminating the program in 2018.

Brown was also able to include several provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill to protect Lake Erie and Ohio Waterways. The final bill includes provisions from Brown’s bipartisan Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) Actwhich will better utilize existing federal conservation programs to protect waterways and expand access to quality farmland.

Brown helped to establish the RCPP in the 2014 Farm Bill which created voluntary partnerships between agricultural and conservation groups aimed at helping farmers improve soil health, protect water quality, and restore wildlife habitats. This program has resulted in numerous innovative conservation practices that are reducing runoff into Lake Erie.

PIDP grants support the efficient movement of commerce through discretionary grant funding that helps strengthen, modernize, and improve our country’s maritime systems and gateway ports. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and support the nation’s long-term economic vitality. To learn more, please visit here. 

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