Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas Waterways Commission has awarded more than $4.6 million in grants to strengthen and modernize key ports along the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers, a move designed to bolster economic growth and maintain navigable waterways throughout the state. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the funding, noting the importance of investing in infrastructure that supports commerce and trade.
“These grants will help preserve Arkansas’ waterways and safeguard a cornerstone of North America trade,” Sanders said. “Investing in these ports strengthens our economy and ensures that Arkansas remains a vital hub for commercial activity.”
The funding comes through a program that reinvests ad valorem taxes paid by industries on commodities shipped on the state’s navigable waterways back into public ports and intermodal authorities. The grants are earmarked for capital improvements, dredging projects, and infrastructure enhancements that improve both safety and operational efficiency at the ports.
“These projects serve a wide range of needs – from safety to erosion prevention, to enhancing economic viability – helping the Arkansas Waterways Commission achieve its mission of developing, promoting, and protecting Arkansas’ commercially navigable waterways,” said John Edwards, Chairman of the Arkansas Waterways Commission.
The projects receiving funding cover five major ports and intermodal authorities across the state:
• The Central Arkansas Intermodal Authority in Morrilton on the Arkansas River was awarded $400,000 to complete road work in a new port area, improving access for trucks and other commercial vehicles.
• The Chicot-Desha Port Authority in McGehee on the Mississippi River received $199,917 to relocate and refurbish truck and grain scales, streamlining operations and ensuring accurate measurement of commodities.
• The City of Fort Smith Port Authority on the Arkansas River was granted $1.98 million to expand warehouse space, build a concrete materials storage pad, and install signage, upgrades aimed at increasing storage capacity and operational efficiency.
• The Little Rock Port Authority on the Arkansas River received $665,552 for the installation of safety railings and gates along the edges of three docks, as well as three claw lid lifters and eight sectional barges to create a floating dock for lid-handling, improving both safety and cargo handling processes.
• The Osceola Port Authority on the Mississippi River was awarded $1.34 million to construct retaining walls to prevent bank erosion, protecting the port infrastructure and maintaining navigable waterways for commercial shipping.
These investments highlight the strategic role that Arkansas’ waterways play in connecting local industries to national and international markets. By funding infrastructure improvements and safety upgrades, the Arkansas Waterways Commission aims to enhance operational efficiency, reduce risks of accidents, and sustain long-term economic growth.
Officials emphasized that the grants not only improve port facilities but also strengthen the state’s position as a key player in North American trade. By maintaining safe, efficient, and modern ports, Arkansas can continue to attract commerce and support the businesses that rely on river transport for the movement of goods.
With these grants, Arkansas is taking a proactive step to ensure its waterways remain functional, safe, and economically viable. Ports across the state will be better equipped to handle growing commercial demands, while supporting jobs and reinforcing the infrastructure that underpins the state’s trade network.
The Arkansas Waterways Commission encourages port authorities and intermodal facilities to continue applying for future grants to sustain and expand the improvements that make Arkansas’ waterways a vital resource for commerce and industry.
