Ohio Maritime Assistance Program Provides Unique Opportunity for River Terminals/Ports
The Ohio Department of Transportation recently announced finalization of the $23 million dollar grant program for eligible Port Authorities (see below)
- The port authority owns an active marine cargo terminal located on the shore of Lake Erie or the Ohio river or on a Lake Erie tributary.
- The port authority is located in a federally qualified opportunity zone and the federally qualified opportunity zone has an active marine cargo terminal with a stevedoring operation that is located on the shore of Lake Erie or the Ohio river.
We at the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority do not own or operate a port, or land that would be fashioned for such use. However, flexibility in Port Authority generated structured leases allow businesses who would like to see projects furthered, to work in cooperation with us, by deeding the land for improvement to our organization during construction phase, and negotiating a sell back based on improvements. It’s a detailed process, but one that allows you the ability to attain a 50% statewide match for project funds.
Here is more detail.
Ohio Maritime Assistance Program
Origin:
• The Maritime Assistance Program (MAP) was created by HB 166 of the 133rd General Assembly
• MAP information can be found in ORC 5501.91
Fiscal:
• Grants require a 50% match (e.g. for every grant dollar awarded it must be matched by a dollar from the applicant)
• Total grant funding available is $23 Million
Eligibility Criteria:
• This program is only available to a port authority created under Chapter 4582 of the Ohio Revised Code. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4582 and meet the following criteria:
1. The port authority owns an active marine cargo terminal located on the shore of Lake Erie or the Ohio river or on a Lake Erie tributary.
2. The port authority is located in a federally qualified opportunity zone and the federally qualified opportunity zone has an active marine cargo terminal with a stevedoring operation that is located on the shore of Lake Erie or the Ohio river.
Applications:
• Applicants must have a written business justification for the investment that indicates the operational and market need for the project.
• Evaluation Criteria:
a) The degree to which the proposed project will increase the efficiency or capacity of maritime cargo terminal operations.
b) Whether the project will result in the handling of new types of cargo or an increase in cargo volume.
c) Whether the project will meet an identified supply chain need or benefit Ohio firms that export goods to foreign markets, or import goods to Ohio for use in manufacturing or for value-added distribution.
d) The readiness of the project to request bids within 180 days of grant award
e) The amount of proposed local match over and above 50%
• If the application does not meet items b) and c), it is not eligible for a grant award
Eligible uses for the grant funds:
1. Land acquisition and site development for marine cargo terminal and associated uses, including demolition and environmental remediation;
2. Construction of wharves, quay walls, bulkheads, jetties, revetments, breakwaters, shipping channels, dredge disposal facilities, projects for the beneficial use of dredge material, and other structures and improvements directly related to maritime commerce and harbor infrastructure;
3. Construction and repair of warehouses, transit sheds, railroad tracks, roadways, gates and gatehouses, fencing, bridges, offices, shipyards, and other improvements needed for marine cargo terminal and associated uses, including shipyards;
4. Acquisition of cargo handling equipment, including mobile shore cranes, stationary cranes, tow motors, fork lifts, yard tractors, craneways, conveyor and bulk material handling equipment, and all types of ship loading and unloading equipment;
5. Planning and design services and other services associated with construction.
Maritime Assistance Program Business Justification Outline
- Describe the Port Authority
The description of the port authority should include the following details:
- Year Authority was created under ORC 4582
- Port location
- Brief history of the Port’s activities to date and general overview
- size of the port
- types of cargos
- volumes, tonnage, value
- Objective of the project
Describe the purpose of the project, inclusive of the industries that will be served.
Describe the active marine cargo terminal this project will benefit inclusive of who owns it and current stevedoring operations.
Describe how the project fits into the port authorities short or long range plans
- Increased capacity and efficiency
How will the port authority meet the objectives listed above in section 2? Explain the degree to which the proposed project will increase the efficiency or capacity of maritime cargo terminal operations.
- Operational and Market Need
- a) Describe the operational and market need for the project
- b) Describe how the need was identified
- c) Provide a benefit / cost analysis
- Project Life Cycle
What is the life cycle of the project?
- a) What is the design life of the project?
b) Describe the funding source that will be used to maintain the project improvements for the duration of the project design life.