WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Dutch Ruppersburger and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski (All D-Md.) today announced $9,880,000 in federal funding to help Baltimore County and Tradepoint Atlantic continue the redevelopment of the former Sparrows Point steel mill site with upgrades to support its operations as a shipping and logistics hub.
“Tradepoint Atlantic’s work at Sparrows Point will enhance the site’s role as an economic growth engine for our state,” said Senator Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “The new federal funds will contribute to the creation of jobs in the Baltimore area and the construction of a robust transportation hub that will expand commerce and opportunity throughout the region. Team Maryland will continue to seek federal investment in this federal-state partnership.”
“Expanding shipping capabilities at Sparrows Point will spur local economic development while creating thousands of good-paying jobs. Not only will this project help boost our local economy, but it also has the potential to connect Maryland businesses with opportunities across the world. We will continue fighting to direct federal funds to expand capacity in and around the Port of Baltimore and invest in Maryland’s other key infrastructure projects as we work to modernize and grow our economy,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Environment and Public Works Committees.
“This is exactly the type of job-generating investment that our constituents expect from the federal government, especially as we seek to rebuild our economy,” said Congressman Ruppersberger. “The Tradepoint Atlantic project will transform Sparrows Point into a 21st century transit hub, creating 21,000 jobs and improving access to consumer goods for one-third of the country’s population. I am proud to have helped bring these dollars back to the district.”
“I’ve seen firsthand how transformative Tradepoint Atlantic project is and this new funding will be critical in building the infrastructure necessary to continue the redevelopment of Sparrows Point into a global logistics hub,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “We thank Senators Cardin, Van Hollen and our entire delegation in Washington for their hard work in securing these new federal funds which will further expand opportunity for our community.”
Funding comes from the Department of Transportation’s newly created Port Infrastructure Development Program and will support the upgrading and addition of infrastructure needed to increase shipping activity and efficiency at the site, including the construction of rail loops, conveyor systems, and storage domes. Tradepoint Atlantic’s work is expected to create 10,000 jobs in construction, manufacturing and distribution in Baltimore County.
In May, Senators Cardin and Van Hollen wrote a letter to Secretary Chao urging support of project. Congressman Ruppersberger led a letter from the House of Representatives.
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