Congresswoman Louise Slaughter pushed congressional leaders yesterday to support Rochester area workers and businesses by including critical support for the Rochester Harbor in a must-pass government operations bill.
Slaughter’s push would secure $2.32 million to support the operation and maintenance of Rochester Harbor, and would allow the harbor to undergo critical dredging operations to preserve its effectiveness as a commercial port.
“ The Rochester Harbor is a crucial driver for job creation and construction projects in Monroe County, ” said Rep. Slaughter . “ Without proper maintenance, the businesses that count on the use of this valuable harbor run the risk of closing, threatening jobs and raising the cost of doing business across our region.”
The harbor’s primary commercial use is the shipment of cement from Ontario, Canada, to the Essroc Cement Corporation’s wholesale distribution center located in Rochester Harbor. A loss of federal funding would severely impact Essroc, costing Monroe County up to $4 million in annual economic output and increasing construction costs throughout the region.
Rochester Harbor stands as Monroe County’s gateway to the Great Lakes, which support more than 130,000 jobs and $18 billion in annual revenue along their shores.
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