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Alabama legislature delivers key support for state’s port

[ June 12, 2023   //   ]

The conclusion of the Alabama 2023 state legislative session marked impressive support for the Alabama Port Authority, with the State allocating $20 million to the McDuffie Coal Terminal and increasing current port incentives to provide greater benefits to businesses. Both were signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey.

Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO John C. Driscoll remarked that this investment in the Port is truly an investment in the entire state, and the infusion of cash means we will be able to do more, faster to ensure the Alabama Port Authority is the most modern and efficient port.” We have always punched above our weight, reinvesting everything outside of operating costs to continue to improve our ability to serve all 67 counties in Alabama and beyond,” he said.

“Our mission is to make Alabama the most globally connected economic engine in the country. In addition to the generous budget allocation, economic developers statewide will benefit from an increased port incentives package that is an excellent addition to The Game Plan, the statewide incentives package passed earlier in the session,” he continued. “At the Port, our mission is to help Alabama’s economy grow. We’re thankful for the support of legislators, local officials, and our federal delegation in helping us achieve this goal. But we can’t do it alone. Every day is a competition with other states and countries to attract high-caliber businesses. This session’s investments in the Port will help our state compete regionally and globally.”

The $20 million investment in McDuffie Coal Terminal will be used to buy coal handling equipment to improve the efficiency of the terminal – a critical element to exporting Alabama’s metallurgical coal, which is highly sought after worldwide. In a recent op-ed. Director Driscoll said, “Allocating this funding to the McDuffie Coal Terminal is a key component to our coal industry’s success, our port’s success, and, ultimately, Alabama’s success.”

In addition to the direct investment in the Alabama State Port Authority, Representative Chip Brown’s House Bill 293 will encourage more businesses to choose Alabama ports when building their supply chain.

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