U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $7.6 Million to Upgrade Critical Infrastructure at the Port of MacKenzie, Alaska

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $7.6 million grant to Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, to fund infrastructure improvements designed to increase the operating efficiency of the Port of MacKenzie. The EDA grant, to be matched with $1.9 million in local investment, is expected to create 16 jobs, retain 551 jobs, and spur $800,000 in private investment.

'President Biden sees the tremendous value and potential of strengthening America's blue economy,' said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. 'A strong and resilient maritime sector is absolutely vital for building back better.'

'This EDA grant will provide critical infrastructure upgrades to the Port of MacKenzie,' said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. 'This investment will install 64 steel pile sleeves on the existing deep draft dock to increase its useful life and support the addition of a roll-on roll-off cargo dock to increase the port's efficiency.'

'Port MacKenzie is a key piece of infrastructure to growing Alaska's economy, moving cargo and Alaska's abundant natural resources directly from the Matsu,' said Governor Mike Dunleavy. 'This targeted investment will go a long way to keep Alaskans working while also improving our critical infrastructure at Port MacKenzie.'

'This significant investment into Alaska will provide much-needed infrastructure upgrades, allowing Port MacKenzie to increase its efficiency in exporting natural resources and other cargo, helping to support our entire state and nation,' said Senator Lisa Murkowski. 'The EDA grant will bring in new jobs and boost our local economy at a time when Alaska needs it most. I thank the Department of Commerce for prioritizing Alaska's needs and ensuring that our maritime economy remains strong.'

'This is great news for Port MacKenzie and our shipping industry in Alaska,' said Senator Dan Sullivan. 'I have worked tirelessly during my time in the Senate to secure funding for projects that will provide vital infrastructure updates and benefit our state's economy. These funds are another important step in the efforts to improve efficiency at the port and allow for the better movement of goods and services.'

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20) (PDF), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA's Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.