Little Rock Port Gets $6M for New Dock, Improvements

Congressman French Hill (AR-2) joined Mayor Mark Stodola to celebrate the official announcement of the a $6.185M TIGER grant awarded by the US Department of Transportation to the Little Rock Port Authority.  The funds will be used to support the Little Rock Port Authority Growth Initiative to construct improvements to the existing slackwater harbor area, including a new dock with direct dock-to-rail capability; and add new rail storage.

“We are celebrating today because getting a TIGER grant is a big deal,” said Congressman French Hill. “Our leadership around the world in a trade regime that works for American exports and American workers is what has driven the global wealth expansion of the last three centuries.”

“The Little Rock Port Authority through the leadership of our board of directors and staff have helped mold the Little Rock Port Authority into an economic engine for our central Arkansas economy, said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola. “The Port had more than a $5 Billion impact on our local economy in the last ten years, and I am confident that this grant will not only sustain but grow that impact in the next decade.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced Friday, July 29, that the Little Rock Port Authority was among 40 applications from a pool of 585 to receive funding. The Little Rock Port Authority will receive $6,185,400.

"This is great news for Arkansas’s economy. In order to remain competitive in today’s global economy, our infrastructure must have the capability to quickly move goods to international markets, said U.S. Senator John Boozman. “The addition of a new dock will help maximize our export potential and attract new investment to Arkansas. The expansion of rail capability and storage will reduce the number of cargo trucks on our highways, which will lead to safer roads in the region.”

“Today would not have been possible without the help and hard work of so many people including Senator Boozman and Congressman Hill and the continued support of Mayor Stodola and the Little Rock Port Authority Board of Directors,” said Executive Director Bryan Day.  “This grant will allow us to add more value to our tenants, as well as, attract to new industry partners to central Arkansas that will benefit from the services only available at the Little Rock Port Authority.”

Currently, the slackwater harbor at Little Rock is an inland channel from the Arkansas River providing direct river access. At 4500 feet long, 15 feet deep, 320 feet wide, the harbor has no current and provides an enormous capacity for export development. The lack of current provides a safe harbor against any current the river might be experiencing. The adjacent industrial property is zoned I-3. It provides services for those cargoes, which are damaging to highway transportation but are ideal for rail and barge. The Harbor has the capacity for sustained efficient service to these heavy industries.