Rep. Frank J. Mrvan joined Colonel Paul Culberson from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Superintendent Paul Labovitz from Indiana Dunes National Park, and Chief Operating Officer Andrea Hermer from the Ports of Indiana to announce $47,852,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 federal funding investments in Northwest Indiana. The announcement also includes $7,000,000 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support improvements at the Michigan City Harbor. The funding will be used for the dredging and maintenance in federal harbors to stabilize supply chains across the region, the construction of water-related infrastructure, and the restoration of critical natural areas along the lakeshore.
“I am grateful for the collaboration with local community partners to ensure Northwest Indiana can protect our national resources, enhance dredging in our harbors, and provide residents with improved sanitary and stormwater systems,” said Rep. Mrvan. “When we invest in our infrastructure at the local level, we have the ability to create good-paying jobs and economic opportunities throughout our region.”
“These projects take a team effort. And this team has included not only the Army Corps of Engineers, and the local leaders, but the efforts of our federal partners and the especially efforts of Congressman Mrvan and his staff. It has been a privilege to be a part of the team and projects that help spur economic activity and development in his district,” said Col. Paul Culberson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“The collaboration inspired by the support brought here by Rep. Mrvan has enabled us to provide a top quality National Park experience to our millions of visitors. Indiana Dunes National Park is a critical part of the fabric of Northwest Indiana,” said Superintendent Paul Labovitz, Indiana Dunes National Park.
“Ports of Indiana is extremely appreciative of Congressman Mrvan and the United States Corps of Engineers for the continued investment in our port. This helps fuel our success in the maritime industry and increase economic development for the state. Thanks to this collaboration, it’s a win-win for all involved,” said Chief Operating Officer Andrea Hermer, Ports of Indiana.
Funding announcement includes:
$18,395,000 – Confined Disposal Facility at Indiana Harbor to support construction of the Phase II – Perimeter Dikes and increase capacity to store dredged materials from Indiana Harbor
$10,000,000 – Calumet Region Environmental Infrastructure to support the construction of water-related infrastructure
$8,196,000 – Indiana Harbor to support operations and maintenance of existing structures at the CDF, including wildlife exclusion, air monitoring, groundwater gradient control system, and water treatment
$7,000,000 – Michigan City Harbor to support repairs to the detached breakwater to include the east pier superstructure in around the lighthouse
$2,700,000 – Indiana Shoreline to support sand nourishment activities at Mount Baldy, in the Indiana Dunes National Park
$1,561,000 – Burns Waterway Harbor to support maintenance dredging in Burns Waterway Harbor to authorized navigable depths as well as structures inside the harbor.
