The Governor's largest new spending proposal this year calls for $53 million to begin deepening the Savannah harbor.
Harbor deepening funds are the number-one legislative priority for Savannah-area business interests, since the port generates jobs and stimulates the economy across the state and region.
Ports Authority spokesman Robert Morris says, the shipping channel needs to be deepened from 42 feet to 48 feet to keep up with global competitors. "The whole shipping industry is moving to larger vessels," Morris says. "The Panama Canal will be coming online in 2014 with a wider and deeper channel."
This year's funding would be the first of three expected installments to pay part of the project's total pricetag of $411 million Federal funds are expected to pay for 60% of that. Studies on the deepening's potential environmental effects are expected in a few months.
Harbor deepening funds are the number-one legislative priority for Savannah-area business interests, since the port generates jobs and stimulates the economy across the state and region.
Ports Authority spokesman Robert Morris says, the shipping channel needs to be deepened from 42 feet to 48 feet to keep up with global competitors. "The whole shipping industry is moving to larger vessels," Morris says. "The Panama Canal will be coming online in 2014 with a wider and deeper channel."
This year's funding would be the first of three expected installments to pay part of the project's total pricetag of $411 million Federal funds are expected to pay for 60% of that. Studies on the deepening's potential environmental effects are expected in a few months.
