The Ports of Indiana has landed a historic $25 million “BUILD” grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This funding will support a transformational $32 million expansion at the Jeffersonville port, which will modernize underutilized land along the Ohio River and more than double the port’s current general cargo footprint.

Expanding Economic Opportunities

Indiana Governor Mike Braun praised the investment, stating that it will create new opportunities for Indiana manufacturers, farmers, and businesses while supporting high-quality jobs across Southern Indiana. The expansion will feature the introduction of a new 300-ton crane system, boosting the port’s heavy-lift capacity by over 800 percent, as well as the construction of a 6,500-square-foot cargo barge dock aimed at doubling barge-to-rail transloading speeds.

The federal funding stems from the highly competitive Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, with the USDOT receiving over 1,200 applications this year and awarding $1.73 billion to just 127 select projects nationwide. With completion slated for 2028, maritime and logistics leaders anticipate a dramatic drop in shipping and transportation expenses for regional businesses.

Support from Federal Lawmakers

Federal lawmakers from Indiana, including U.S. Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks, as well as Congresswoman Erin Houchin, heavily advocated for the project, emphasizing the importance of modern logistics in maintaining competitive domestic manufacturing. They praised the record-breaking grant as a major win for Indiana, which will strengthen American manufacturing, support Hoosier jobs, and keep Indiana at the forefront of logistics and commerce.

Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.