Minnesota ports outline dredging, bulkhead and terminal projects and ask for state assistance to leverage federal funds

Representatives of Minnesota ports told the Senate bonding committee that aging maritime infrastructure across the state requires continued state support to preserve commerce and jobs.

Sherry Charnee, port authority manager from Red Wing, described projects including a Little River bulkhead (about $900,000 in assistance already received), upper‑harbor bulkhead rehabilitation, and channel dredging needs; she emphasized that much port infrastructure dates to the 1940s–1950s and requires reconstruction to remain safe and functional for commercial and recreational boat traffic.

Todd Gurley, president of the Saint Paul Port Authority, outlined three projects at Saint Paul — an $8 million barge receiving system; a $10 million transfer and storage facility; and a $16 million dock project — and requested additional state assistance, including $11.9 million to rehabilitate loading cells at Barge Terminal One and $14.3 million for improvements at Red Rock Terminal.

Kevin Beardsley and other Minnesota Ports Association leaders highlighted statewide return on investment for port funding, explained that every state dollar often leverages more federal and local investment, and described a pending $30 million federal grant application for the Duluth Lakeport property (roughly $38 million total project cost). Beardsley also noted proposed statutory language to increase state match flexibility so ports can better access federal funds.

Port presenters said inland waterways reduce truck traffic, support hundreds of thousands of jobs and generate substantial tax revenue, and asked the committee to maintain and expand Port Development Assistance funding to leverage federal and private funds. Committee members asked for follow‑up materials on ROI metrics and federal match timing.