Governor Tate Reeves unveiled a new maritime dock and railroad facility in Port Bienville Industrial Park this afternoon, also known as the RESTORE Dock.
The $8.8 million project includes a 600-foot bulkhead with a 40-foot apron that can accommodate three barges for loading and unloading, as well as a 250-foot crushed stone laydown yard for operations and storage. Other additions to the project include two Port Bienville Shortline Railroad track extensions and improved access roads.
“The RESTORE Dock is another valuable addition to Hancock County’s infrastructure,” said Reeves. “It will help strengthen our state’s supply chains and lead to more economic opportunities for Mississippians. I’m grateful for the hard work of all our partners in bringing this important project to completion.”
Reeves was joined by U.S. Congressman Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., local officials, and industry representatives during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Port Bienville‘s RESTORE Dock project is another shining example of putting the funding received through the RESTORE and GOMESA legislation to good use,” Palazzo said. “This project will aid in bringing further economic growth opportunities to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
Funding for the project was derived from the following programs:
- 2017 RESTORE Act grant – $7.4 million
- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s GOMESA program – $510,000
- Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission (HCPHC) – $870,000
The new 35 facility, which is the HCPHC’s fifth public dock, will be used to move about 480,000 tons of material across Port Bienville’s public and private docks each year.
“Port and Harbor Commission is committed to growing economic opportunities,” said CEO Bill Cotter. “Thanks to the support of federal, state, and local partners, this infrastructure investment will support business operations and continued growth of our maritime business.”
