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Sen. Shelby to state leaders: Port of Mobile project ‘a game-changer’ for entire state

In a message delivered to a group of state leaders touring the Port of Mobile, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) detailed the importance of expanding Alabama’s only deep-water port.

“The deepening and the widening of the Port of Mobile is a once-in-a-lifetime economic development opportunity,” Shelby said. “This project has the ability to transform Mobile and our state’s economy for the next one hundred years.”

Shelby emphasized that the Port of Mobile “is one of the nation’s fastest growing container seaports” with a statewide economic impact of over $22 billion a year.

And he summarized what he views as the direction the project should take.

State leaders and legislators gather at the Port of Mobile (contributed)

“My goal is to increase the depth and the width of the harbor channel allowing for larger vessels and more goods to be shipped and sold,” Shelby outlined.

He was sure to also point out the work he has done to lay the groundwork for the project, citing the legislation he enacted to increase the federal government’s share of the funding from 50 percent to 75 percent.

While noting the expansion of the port was of “great importance” to him, Shelby conveyed that the benefits would take hold throughout Alabama.

“This Mobile port project would have immeasurable impact on the entire state and could be a game-changer for all of us,” he said.

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Tim Howe is an owner and editor of Yellowhammer News

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