U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, David Perdue, and U.S. Representative Buddy Carter, have secured additional federal funding to keep the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) on track in 2019.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released its fiscal year 2019 work plan, which includes $52.12 million in additional funds for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.
This additional funding, combined with the President Trump’s original budget request of $49 million, brings the total fiscal year 2019 federal funding for SHEP to roughly $101 million, which will keep the critical economic development project on track.
“ With this announcement, President Trump is delivering for Georgia in a big way, and I’m grateful to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney for their continued commitment to this vital infrastructure project, ” said Isakson .
“ The Port of Savannah is the fourth largest and fastest growing port in the United States. Out of all port projects across the country, SHEP has the best benefit to cost ratio at 7.3 to 1. Once completed, SHEP will contribute $282 million to our economy each year, ” said Perdue .
In December 2017, the entire Georgia Congressional delegation called on the administration to include critical funding for SHEP in the president’s fiscal year 2019 budget request. In June 2018, Isakson, Perdue and Carter secured full federal funding for SHEP for the first time at the federal level.