The Georgia General Assembly has approved a budget adjustment of slightly over US$6 million for specific harbour enhancements at the Port of Brunswick.
Governor Brian Kemp inked the funding bill into law on 29 February.
“I was proud to sign the FY2024 amended budget with key investments in areas like public safety, education, and workforce development. Reflecting our shared commitment to making Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family, I’m especially pleased this budget included record funding for infrastructure projects like the Brunswick Harbor, which plays a vital role in Georgia’s thriving economy,” stated Governor Brian Kemp.
The proposed harbour enhancement plan by the US Army Corps of Engineers entails widening a bend, enlarging the turning basin (where ships are turned bow-downriver before docking at Colonel’s Island), and expanding the meeting space at St. Simons Sound.
The state allocation designated for the harbour will be transferred to the Corps of Engineers to cover the non-federal share of the project expenses. The total anticipated cost is US$17.45 million, with the federal contribution amounting to US$11.35 million, representing 65% of the total cost.
“For the past four years, we’ve seen an increasing number of vessel calls at the Port of Brunswick, and the car carriers serving Colonel’s Island have expanded in size to 7,000-vehicle capacity. An improved channel will better accommodate growing business demand and perfectly complements the terminal improvements we’re making in Brunswick,” commented Griff Lynch, CEO and president of GPA.
Furthermore, Lynch mentioned that the next procedural stage involves the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) signing a project partnership agreement with the Corps of Engineers, outlining the respective state and federal duties concerning the Brunswick Harbor enhancements.
These improvements will notably benefit auto carriers servicing Colonel’s Island, as well as bulk and breakbulk vessels transporting goods such as forest products and raw rubber.
The Georgia Ports Authority is investing over US$260 million into upgrading Brunswick’s infrastructure. Recently completed projects at the Colonel’s Island auto port include installing 32,516 square meters of on-dock warehousing, adding 9,290 square meters of warehousing on the southern end of Colonel’s Island, and expanding Roll-on/Roll-off storage by 323,748 more square meters.
Additionally, ongoing construction at Colonel’s Island includes the development of additional buildings totalling 16,908 square meters and another 169,967 square meters of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo storage. These landside projects, financed through port earnings, will enhance the terminal’s capacity to carry out on-site processing for automobiles and machinery.
