North
Carolina State Ports
Position: NCCBI encourages
the North Carolina Legislature to appropriate funds on an ongoing
basis to the North Carolina State Ports Authority sufficient to
adequately maintain and improve the Ports' marine terminals and
related infrastructure.
We recommend that the
Legislature appropriate the state's cost share funding as required for
the federal navigation improvement project that would deepen the Cape
Fear River navigation channel. Deepening the Cape Fear is essential
for the Port of Wilmington to remain competitive and serve North
Carolina’s business and industry into the next century. We further
recommend that highway projects necessary for improved access to both
State Ports be identified, included in the state's Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP), and assigned the highest priority for
implementation.
Explanation:
North
Carolinians are just beginning to realize the tremendous potential of
our State Ports to access global markets and foster economic
development throughout North Carolina. The strategic location of our
Ports at Morehead City and Wilmington allows North Carolina business
and industry to better compete in the global marketplace through
savings on inland transportation costs.
For example North Carolina customers shipping containerized
cargoes accrue an estimated $19 million in savings on inland
transportation annually by using the Port of Wilmington, instead of
other gateways. The Ports
Authority’s reinvigorated partnership with the State has resulted in
nearly $30 million in appropriations the last three years. Most of
this money has gone for major maintenance projects (60%) with the
balance used for new capital projects.
These appropriations have yielded substantial benefits in the
ability of North Carolina’s ports to better serve our State’s
business and industry. However,
just as at ports throughout the country, the huge economic returns
from the operations of our ports required continued investment for its
realization. The Ports Authority’s defined six-year program based on
this revitalized partnership has been submitted to the State along
with its 2000/2001 Biennium Budget request to continue the State
capital contributions for new construction projects and repairs and
renovations (R&R) projects. It should be noted that new capital
construction will be joint ventured with the private sector interest
wherever possible.
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