By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Hueneme recently broke ground on its harbor excavation project.
The project, which seeks to deepen the port harbor from 35 feet to 40 feet, was mostly funded by a $12.3 million TIGER Grant (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) from the US Department of Transportation. That extra five feet means vessels won’t have to wait for high tide to enter the harbor.
The project also has economic reverberations, generating more than 563 new jobs, $28 million in business revenue, $5.8 million in local purchases, and $4.6 million in state and local taxes, according to the port.
“The Port of Hueneme is an instrumental and thriving component of Ventura County – forming an essential partnership in their mutual success,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “Over the years, we have seen the successful expansion and growth of the Port to become a critical point of entry to our local and global economy.”
The work is expected to be completed by March 2020.