Texas port obtains CARES grant for new rail loop

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million recovery assistance grant under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) to the Victoria County Navigation District in Texas to make railway infrastructure improvements to support business and job growth at the Port of Victoria.

The EDA grant, to be matched with more than $3 million in local investment, is expected to create 83 jobs, retain 300 jobs and generate nearly $46 million in private investment, EDA officials said in a press release.

The project involves the construction of a 1.9-mile rail loop to serve existing and future businesses at the port. The rail loop will allow the area to handle larger capacity trains that businesses need to remain competitive. The port is served by BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad.

“This rail expansion will accelerate economic and business growth at the Port of Victoria and strengthen the region’s economic resilience,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Dennis Alvord.