Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. announced today that a regional coalition led by the City of Newark is a finalist for a $100 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop a project to upgrade Port Newark. The grant is part of the EDA’s $1 billion Build Back Regional Challenge. The coalition is one of 60 finalists, out of 529 applicants, that will advance to Phase Two of the contest and compete for a portion of $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding to complete their project. The Newark coalition will receive $500,000 to develop their project proposal because it is a finalist. Before the coalition was announced as a finalist, Rep. Payne, Jr. wrote a strong letter of support for the project to the leader of the EDA, Alejandra Castillo, on November 30, 2021.
“I was proud to help the Newark coalition become one of the finalists for this incredible grant,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. “The $500,000 will help develop the project for a more modern Port Newark. But now, we need to push to see if we can help the project win part of the $100 million grant and make it a reality.”
The project would turn Port Newark into a “smart port” with technological upgrades to improve freight handling, tracking and delivery, and transportation. It would enhance port operations, cargo capacities, and delivery systems. In addition, it would improve the port’s homeland and cybersecurity systems, develop communication systems for infrastructure support, and provide workforce training to help staff use the new technology involved in all port operations.
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