Officials seek $25 million RAISE grant for Vicksburg’s new port complex

Soon, the first real work could begin on Vicksburg’s new port complex.  City and county officials have allocated funds to survey the site and apply for millions in federal grant dollars to complete the first phase of the project.

Warren County and the City of Vicksburg are submitting a co-application for a $25 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund Phase I of the new port project.

The land survey and other preparatory costs, estimated at $40,000, will be split between the city and county, with each entity committing up to $20,000 toward application preparation costs.

“Phase one of the project will be to construct the basin, which is the water entrance, if you would, inland to the area where the new port will be located,” explained Pablo Diaz, President and CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership.

While the final port complex is expected to span nearly 900 acres, officials are in the process of closing on an initial 654 acres for $286, 513, pending completion of the survey.

Last month, eminent domain proceedings were filed to purchase 20 properties necessary for the creation of a public port complex. 

“The City of Vicksburg and Warren County stand ready to invest in the infrastructure of a new public port complex to ensure that our people are well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities the river affords them, and to guarantee that Vicksburg and Warren County remain at the forefront of river-based transportation and commerce well into the future.”