ProvPort looking for $20 million to expand

June 2, 2016 7:42 am

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

ProvPort, the nonprofit organization controlling the Port of Providence, wants to expand.

"We’ve done a very good job of marketing the port, attracting tenants, and creating jobs. But we’re out of land,” said Bill Fischer, the spokesman for ProvPort.

ProvPort is now looking to the state for help to the tune of $20 million. They want a bond initiative put on the November ballot that would allow voters to decide on the fate of the port.

"We can bring in new tenants, if we have new tenants that will create over 500 jobs, new revenue for the city, new tax stream for the state,” Fischer said.

If all goes according to plan, ProvPort would purchase 25 acres of land and construct a new marine terminal. Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio says the project needs to happen now because the expansion of the Panama Canal is nearing completion.

"What that will do, according to what the people at ProvPort will anticipate, is create a market for the smaller ships that are going to be squeezed out of these ports on the eastern coast and they’re going to be looking for a place to land,” Ruggerio said.

ProvPort says ports across New England have recently improved and Providence should be next.

"Massachusetts just invested $130 million in the port at New Bedford. The state of Connecticut is investing over $700 million in their ports. Rhode Island needs to compete,” said Fischer.

There is already one port-related referendum proposed for the November ballot. Governor Gina Raimondo wants $70 million to go towards improving Quonset. ProvPort’s proposed referendum could attach to Governor Raimondo’s, creating a single port-related ballot question.

During Wednesday’s hearing, ABC6 was told nobody spoke in opposition to the plan. A vote is expected to happen within the next two weeks.