Putnam County Port Authority backs $10 million federal grant, agrees to $2 million local match

The Putnam County Port Authority voted to back a $10 million federal grant application and to provide a local funding commitment to complete the project match, county staff said during the board's meeting.

County staff described the Port Infrastructure Development Grant application as seeking $10,000,000 toward an estimated $15,275,000 riverfront project that would build a new bulkhead, a new dock and related underground infrastructure. "There's a grant application we'd like to submit, for $10,000,000 through the USDOT Maritime grant program," county staff member Mr. Suggs told the commission.

Staff told the board the application requires a letter of support from the Port Authority and documented commitments for the local match. The packet included letters showing commitments of $1.9 million from the Florida Department of Transportation and $1.375 million from state partners, leaving roughly $2,000,000 the county would need to commit to meet the project budget and move the application forward.

The project drew praise from commissioners as an economic development opportunity. Commissioner Harvey said the package's leverage of federal and state funds for a multi-million-dollar port expansion was "good business" for Putnam County and for local economic development, and called the proposal a potential boon for shipbuilding and goods movement in the county.

Commissioners also discussed the broader infrastructure context. Several speakers noted the planned Outer Beltway and a higher replacement for the Shands Bridge will remove a navigational constraint that previously limited ship construction and movement; Commissioner Pallister and others said that change could enable local shipbuilders to compete for larger government contracts.

After discussion, a commissioner moved that the Port Authority and the Board of County Commissioners sign a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation expressing support for the grant application and commit county funds to the project match. The board approved the motion by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion as carrying.

Next steps announced at the meeting included obtaining required signatures on two letters (one from the full Port Authority and one from the Port Authority chair), completing the grant application before the stated deadline, and continuing to pursue additional grants or funding sources to reduce the county's match requirement. Mr. Suggs said staff would seek any further grant opportunities to help cover the $2,000,000 balance.

Background and context: county staff said the application is part of a longer-running effort to expand port operations in Palatka and attract more maritime business to Putnam County. The packet cites local letters of support, participation from the Florida Ports Council and outreach by local elected officials. No formal contract award or construction authorization occurred at the meeting; the board's action was limited to approving support letters and a funding commitment to enable the grant filing.