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August 25, 2026 <br /> <br />26-195o: <br /> <br />Adoption of a resolution certifying the City of Portsmouth’s support of an <br />application for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s United States Marine <br />Highway Program in the amount of $2,000,000 for the purchase of barge <br />components to replace an aging heavy-lift asset to accommodate rapidly evolving <br />industry needs. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> The United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP) is a discretionary grant <br />program administered by the Maritime Administration. Funds are awarded on a <br />competitive basis to projects on designated U.S. Marine Highway Routes that provide a <br />coordinated and capable alternative to landside transportation or that promote marine <br />highway transportation. <br /> <br /> USMHP grants support the development and promotion of marine highway <br />transportation, the program aims to relieve landside congestion and generate other public <br />benefits by increasing the efficiency of the surface transportation system. <br /> <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> Crofton Construction Services, Inc. is seeking construction funds to replace and <br />modernize a critical heavy-lift asset which supports the regional maritime and defense <br />industrial base. <br /> <br /> The application will seek a grant of $2,000,000 from USMHP. Crofton Construction <br />Services, Inc will expend at least $2,000,000 of its own funds to serve as the match for <br />the grant. <br /> <br /> The project will represent a total capital investment of over $4,000,000 and <br />ultimately result in increased business operations for the region. <br /> <br /> The City will have no liability for the project or obligation to commit any local funding <br />to the project. <br /> <br /> The Resolution proposed for City Council consideration affirms the Council’s <br />support for the project and is required in order for the USMHP application to be submitted. <br />The application will be submitted by the Portsmouth Port & Industrial Commission. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> If the application is successful, the project would be funded entirely by the U.S <br />Department of Transportation and private funding. No City or PPIC funds are required to <br /> <br />be expended as a match for the USMHP grant. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of the Resolution. Strategic Pillar #3: Economic Growth & Citywide <br />Revitalization. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> Submission by the Portsmouth Port & Industrial Commission of a USMHP grant <br /> <br />application to the U.S. Department of Transportation. <br /> <br />“RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH’S SUPPORT OF AN <br />APPLICATION FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S UNITED <br />STATES MARINE HIGHWAY PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000,000 FOR THE <br />PURCHASE OF BARGE COMPONENTS TO REPLACE AN AGING HEAVY-LIFT <br />ASSET TO ACCOMMODATE RAPIDLY EVOLVING INDUSTRY NEEDS. <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br />, Crofton Construction Services, Inc. has long operated a maritime <br />facility at 16 Harper Avenue in Portsmouth; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br />Crofton is seeking construction funds to replace and modernize a <br />critical heavy-lift asset which supports the regional maritime and defense industrial base; <br />and <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />