April 2022
FACT SHEET
Palatka Barge Port (107)
Construction (C)
Congressional District: 3
1. DESCRIPTION
The Palatka Barge Port is situated along the western bank of the St. Johns River, in Putnam County Florida. This unique riverside community is home to a concentrated group of marine related businesses and ship manufacturing industries that rely on the Palatka Barge Port to conduct and maintain commerce. Over the last several years, Putnam County officials and representatives of the commerce community that conducts business at the Port have been working on a joint initiative to facilitate business growth, expand economic opportunities, update the transportation infrastructure, and modernize the transportation system.
Putnam County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the State of Florida. Any hindrance that prevents the growth of the economy is detrimental to the long-term sustainability of the county. Current depths of the waters within the Port are falling below 8 feet and are becoming extremely hazardous for the delivery of resources for businesses to the Port. This problem not only prevents the growth of the current industry and tourism business, but it also hinders the plans and initiative to attract new businesses and tourism to this region.
2. FUNDING
Estimated Total Cost $800,000
Estimated Federal Cost $450,000
Allocation thru FY21 $100,000
|
Allocation for FY22
President’s Budget FY23
|
$250,000
$0
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Project is authorized by Section 107 of the River and Harbor Act of 1960, as amended.
3. SPONSOR
Putnam County Board of County Commissioners
2509 Crill Avenue, Suite 200
Palatka, FL 32177
4. STATUS
The Feasibility Cost Share Agreement (FCSA) was signed October 2021. Non-Federal Sponsor funds for the initiation of the feasibility study were received in December 2021. The feasibility study will be an 18–24-month effort.