Mayor Cicilline, Congressional Delegation Celebrate $10.5 Million TIGER Grant for the Port of Providence

Federal funds will help transform the Port of Providence into a major short-sea shipping facility and create more than 1000 jobs

PROVIDENCE - Mayor David N. Cicilline joined Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Jim Langevin and representatives from the Port of Providence to celebrate $10.5 million in federal funding to help transform the Port into a modern marine cargo center and create more than 1000 jobs for the region.

The Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant will go towards the purchase and installation of two high-performance harbor cranes which will enable the port to significantly expand operations. The funds will transform the Port into highly competitive marine cargo center, a key to the region's economic revitalization.

"I could not be more thrilled by this significant federal investment in the Port of Providence, which will protect the more than 2000 existing jobs, create more than 550 good-paying direct jobs and 1000 indirect jobs," said Mayor Cicilline. "I'm deeply grateful to Senator Reed and the entire delegation for making this a priority in Washington. This is an important day for the Port, the City and every resident of this state."

Senator Reed praised Mayor Cicilline for his strong advocacy of the Port expansion project and said the "Mayor has been relentless" in getting the delegation to focus on ProvPort. "We are really here to recognize the vision, leadership and relentless advocacy of Mayor Cicilline for the people of Providence and the people of Rhode Island."

"It cannot be said too often that the credit belongs primarily to Mayor Cicilline," said Senator Whitehouse. "He fought hard for this and he worked closely with ProvPort. It will make a real difference, not only terms of jobs, but in terms of the long-term economic activity as well."

According to a cost/benefit analysis conducted by Bryant University, the Port infrastructure improvement project would create approximately 550 direct jobs and more than 1000 indirect jobs for the region spurred by expanded maritime and export activity. The direct jobs would garner an average annual salary of $80,000. The investment would also generate more than $120 million in economic activity.