The  Obama Administration announced that 7 nationally and regionally significant infrastructure projects will be expedited to help modernize and expand 5 major ports in the United States, including the Port of Jacksonville, the Port of Miami, the Port of Savannah, the Port of New York and New Jersey, and the Port of Charleston.  As part of a Presidential Executive Order issued in March of this year, the Office of Management and Budget is charged with overseeing a government-wide effort to make the permitting and review process for infrastructure projects more efficient and effective, saving time while driving better outcomes for local communities.  These are the first 7 of the initial 43 projects that will be expedited by the Executive Order - additional expedited infrastructure projects will be announced in the coming weeks.

"One way to help American businesses grow and hire is to modernize our infrastructure," said President Obama. "That's why in March I asked my Administration to identify important projects across the country where Federal review could be expedited. Today's commitment to move these port projects forward faster will help drive job growth and strengthen the economy."

The Obama Administration is also announcing the establishment of a White House-led Task Force that will consist of senior officials from various White House offices, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the Treasury. The Task Force will develop a Federal strategy and coordinated decision making principles that focus on the economic return of investments into coastal ports and related infrastructure to support the movement of commerce throughout the Nation. For more information on the Task Force, please click HERE.

For more information, click here.

Source: White House