Industry urges Michigan to boost port funding, expand maritime grant program

At a meeting of the Appropriation Subcommittee on State and Local Transportation, industry representatives and port officials told lawmakers the state needs more funding for port maintenance and expansion and for the Michigan Maritime Import Facility Assistance Grant Program, which was created in 2022 and administered through MDOT.

The presenters — Andrew Shephers, regional manager for government and public affairs for Holcim; Chuck Ryzak, marine operations director for Holcim; and Kyle Burleson, director of state advocacy for the American Waterways Operators (AWO) — described how the Great Lakes maritime network moves heavy bulk materials such as cement, slag, sand and gravel and urged the committee to add a line item to the budget for the grant program.

"Maritime transportation is the safest, greenest, and most cost effective way to move cargo," Kyle Burleson said. He told the committee the maritime industry supports more than…