Community Corner

Maryland Port Held Up by VP Biden as Model for America

Biden and other officials tout grant to help increase cargo shipped via Baltimore.

Vice President Joseph Biden and state officials toured the Port of Baltimore Monday to highlight a $10 million federal grant that is expected to increase the amount of cargo handled at the facility. 

The grant is part of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program. State officials will add another $19 million.

"With today's announcement, we are rebuilding our infrastructure in order to compete in a modern economy," Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a statement. "Together, with the Obama Administration and our federal partners, we're moving the Port of Baltimore forward, creating jobs and connecting our State with cities and ports half a world away."

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The money will allow the port facility to increase the amount of cargo the port can handle. It will also be used to provide rail access at the Fairfield Marine Terminal, which ranks first in shipping automobiles, farm and construction machinery, according tThe Washington Post.

“If we make it in America ... we’ve got to be able to ship it around the world,” Biden said, according to the Post report.

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During the tour, Biden saw massive Super Post Panamax cranes lifting yellow, red and blue cargo containers full of clothes, electronics and other household goods off the MSC Vittoria and on to waiting trucks, a long stream of which kept operations flowing, according to White House press pool reports.

With its 50-foot channel and berth, the Port of Baltimore is poised to accept large ships set to begin moving through the Panama Canal, and other ships from the Suez Canal.

“This federal investment will increase cargo storage capacity, widen the channel at Seagirt Marine Terminal, and improve rail access,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer, a Democrat and House Minority Whip, according to the reports. 

“The Port of Baltimore, a significant economic engine in our state, is already leading the nation’s ports in preparing for the new business that is expected when the expansion of the Panama Canal is completed in 2015, and this additional investment will improve its competitiveness.”


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