LANSING — The Michigan Senate has finalized a bipartisan legislative package designed to support improvements to Michigan’s ports and help them compete with ports in other Great Lakes states.
Two of the plan’s three bills — Senator Dale Zorn’s bill and a House bill — were passed by the Senate in late May.
“Our ports are critical to our state’s economy, and being able to service more ships would help lower costs for Michigan businesses and consumers and create more high-paying jobs for Michigan workers,” Zorn said. R-Onsted. “My account allows our ports to use revenue bonds for projects that allow them to handle more freight, such as sea containers. It’s about championing jobs in Michigan and ensuring that our ports, such as the Port of Monroe, can compete with other US ports for cargo.”
In 2017, a report by Martin Associates in Pennsylvania found that 59.2 million tons of goods were transported through Michigan’s waterways, worth $3.23 billion. The economic activity generated by commercial ports was $4.16 million, supporting 25,910 jobs and raising $763 million in federal, state and local tax revenue.
Senate Bill 744, sponsored by Senator Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, and passed Senate Wednesday, would create the Maritime and Port Facility Assistance grant program for port infrastructure projects. A grant awarded under the program may be used for public purposes, including direct port facility activities; general maritime-related economic development or transport opportunities in the port facility region; obtaining or improving green marine certification; matching federal funding options; dredging waterways and ports; repair sea walls; transition to cleaner technology; or other projects related to port facilities as determined by the program office.
Zorn’s bill, SB 745, would allow port authorities to use revenue bonds for transportation-related improvements and further leverage the efficiency of ships on our Great Lakes.
House Bill 5291, sponsored by Rep. Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann, would establish the Maritime and Port Facility Assistance Office to provide technical assistance, develop a statewide strategic maritime plan, and administer the state-level port subsidy program established in SB 744. .
SB 744 is now going to the House of Representatives for consideration of the other two bills.