Feb. 17, 2005

Texas Commits $5.2 Million to Upgrade and Enhance Port of Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the State of Texas will commit $5.2 million for rail enhancements to the Port of Corpus Christi; one of the nation’s busiest strategic military deployment ports. This commitment will allow the port to double its ship-loading capacity to better support additional military missions as well as increased commercial traffic.

“As we continue to aggressively position Texas bases as the ideal location for continued and expanded military missions, we must also look beyond the bases themselves and address other infrastructure needs that can improve our ability to support our men and women in uniform,” Perry said. “Today I am proud to announce that the State of Texas is committing $5.2 million to expand and enhance cargo loading capabilities at the Port of Corpus Christi - the most recently designated strategic deployment port in the state for the United States Military.”

In the past two years, the ports of Corpus Christi and Beaumont combined have shipped 40 percent of all military cargo to overseas locations. Perry said that these funds, made available by the Texas Department of Transportation, will allow the port to make critically needed improvements to rail infrastructure that will significantly reduce the time it takes to get military transport ships on their way. These improvements will also benefit commercial shipping and help boost Corpus Christi’s reputation as a vital hub of commerce in North America.

“With this important infrastructure investment, we are reinforcing our message to decision-makers in Washington, D.C., that Texas continues to be a full partner in supporting the mission of our military like no other state,” Perry said. “Our commitment is evidenced by real dollars that will not only help support current missions but also build our capacity to accept expanded missions and additional personnel in the future.”

Perry noted that in recent months Texas has taken unprecedented steps to increase the value of Texas bases and welcome a greater military presence in our state. In October, Perry announced that Naval Air Station Corpus Christi would be receiving more than $5 million from a newly created low-interest loan fund for critical infrastructure improvements to enhance its capabilities and increase its value to the U.S. Armed Forces. Additionally, Texas has helped secure the relocation of 8,800 troops to Fort Hood and Fort Bliss by committing $36 million to improve roads on and around those bases and has also committed $13 million in transportation improvements at the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana contingent upon the Department of Defense expanding military missions or workload there.

“In Texas we value and appreciate our servicemen and women and we are proud of our strong ties to the military from our Commander in Chief to the thousands of members of the Armed Forces who serve at our 18 major military installations,” Perry said. “We also recognize that a strong military presence is important to our economy as Department of Defense expenditures in Texas exceed $32.8 billion annually, equating to an economic impact of some $77 billion.”

Perry was joined at the event by Army Lieutenant General Robert Dail, Deputy Commander of the United States Transportation Command and Army Brigadier General Maynard Sanders, Deputy Commander of the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.