Maritime Assistance Program Grant

The Maritime Assistance Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation, offers funding to Ohio port authorities for projects that enhance maritime cargo terminal operations. Eligible projects include planning, construction, and acquisition related to marine cargo terminals located on Lake Erie or the Ohio River. This program aims to improve efficiency and support Ohio businesses engaged in international trade, ensuring better infrastructure and capacity for maritime commerce.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Maritime Assistance Program (MAP) provides funding to eligible Ohio port authorities, defined by Ohio Revised Code 4582, for planning, design, acquisition, and infrastructure projects that increase the efficiency or capacity of maritime cargo terminal operations. Ohio Revised Code Section 5501.91 defines program components and requirements prescribed by Ohio law to be administered by ODOT.

Eligibility

Public port authorities (herein ‘Port Authority’) created under Chapter 4582 of the Ohio Revised Code and meeting either of the following criteria:

• Owns an active marine cargo terminal located on the shore of Lake Erie or the Ohio River or on a Lake Erie tributary.

At the time of application for a grant, the port authority is located in, or has jurisdiction within, a federally qualified opportunity zone and the federally qualified opportunity zone has an active marine cargo terminal with a stevedoring operation that is located on the shore of Lake Erie or the Ohio River.Projects proposed for MAP funding must:

• Increase the efficiency or capacity of maritime cargo terminal operations.

Meet an identified supply chain need or benefit Ohio firms that export goods to foreign markets, or import goods to Ohio for use in manufacturing or for value-added distribution.
Eligible project types:

• Planning and design functions and other services associated with construction.
• Land acquisition and site development for marine cargo terminal and associated uses, including demolition and environmental remediation.

Construction of wharves, quay walls, bulkheads, jetties, revetments, breakwaters, shipping channels, dredge disposal facilities, projects for the beneficial use of dredge material, and other structures and improvements directly related to maritime commerce and harbor infrastructure.
Construction and repair of warehouses, transit sheds, railroad tracks, roadways, gates and gatehouses, fencing, bridges, offices, shipyards, and other improvements needed for marine cargo terminals and associated uses, including shipyards.
Acquisition of cargo handling equipment, including mobile shore cranes, stationary cranes, tow motors, forklifts, yard tractors, crane ways, conveyor and bulk material handling equipment, and all types of ship loading and unloading equipment.