Caption: Bipartisanship and collaboration were on full display at the Project 11 Dredge Kick-Off Celebration event on June 1st, with the Port Commission, and Congressional, State, and Local delegations, leading the way.

Partnership, progress, and potential were on full display at the Port’s Project 11 Dredge Kick-Off Celebration on June 1^st. Over 200 stakeholders and elected officials gathered to commemorate the kick-off for the $1 Billion project hosted by Port Houston and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the USACE Galveston District Headquarters.

A joint effort across various federal, state, and local agencies helped bring Project 11 to life. The project received a major boost from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in January 2022 when $142 million was allocated to the project to help complete Segment 3, the Barbours Cut Container Terminal section. At 82% funded, Project 11 has received wide-spread support from a diverse group of elected officials and it’s on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

Ric Campo, the Chairman of the Port Commission delivered remarks to the crowd highlighting the partnership it takes to bring a project of such magnitude to this point. Chairman Campo also pointed to the potential and progress the project represents, citing that over 75% of the jobs sustained and created by the Houston Ship Channel are located in disadvantaged communities. Once completed, Project 11 will generate an additional $134 million annually in economic impact, equating to $367,123 a day in added benefits for the American worker and their families.

The newly retrofitted clean Dredge Carolina, owned by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, arrived to Galveston for the event. Dredge Carolina is equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction technology to significantly reduce NOx emissions, resulting in 38% cleaner than Tier 3 equipment. Lasse Petterson, CEO of Great Lakes Dock and Dredge Company, states “Dredge Carolina is one of the largest dredges in the United States. She is 340 feet long, 65 feet wide, and has about 16,000 horsepower.”

USACE Southwestern District Commander Col. Kenneth N. Reed stressed how important Project 11 is for the Galveston District and the District’s higher headquarters. “As the federal agency that maintains and constructs much of the nation’s public infrastructure, the Army Corps of Engineers continues to work with Port Houston on one of the most impactful infrastructure projects nationwide.”

The work of widening and deepening the Houston Ship Channel will have tremendous positive economic, safety, and environmental benefit for the entire nation. To learn more, visit www.expandthehoustonshipchannel.com.

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Port Houston is the latest local government to achieve specific transparency goals related to public pensions through the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars program, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has announced.  

Port Houston received a Transparency Star in the area of public pensions, awarded to local governments with websites providing visual and narrative explanations of actuarial valuations, contribution rates and benchmark comparisons and meet other criteria.

“Port Houston should be congratulated for its ongoing commitment to greater public trust. This effort achieves the goals set by our Transparency Stars program,” Hegar said. “Public pension transparency is increasingly important to Texas taxpayers. With this achievement, Port Houston has shown itself to be a leader in responsible fiscal management.”

The Comptroller’s office launched the Transparency Stars program in March 2016 to recognize cities, counties, school districts and special purpose districts making important strides toward greater government transparency. After receiving a Traditional Finances star, local entities can go on to apply in other areas.

The Transparency Stars program recognizes local governments that provide easy online access to important financial data.

Port Houston was previously awarded two stars, for Traditional Finances and Debt Obligations. For more information on the program, including specific guidelines and instructions on how to apply, visit the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars website at: https://comptroller.texas.gov/transparency/local/stars/.

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Port Houston held its quarterly Small Business Advisory Council meeting recently, with Senior Director of Small Business and Education Outreach Gilda Ramirez and staff providing an update on port small business engagement activities and events.

Port Commissioner John Kennedy, chair of the group, noted that Port Houston had no major impact as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

Kennedy also commended the Houston Astros for winning the Major League Baseball World Series Championship.

Paul Puente, Executive Secretary of the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council, provided a presentation on local workforce and apprenticeship opportunities. “Houston has one of the best economies in the world,” said Puente.

The Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council helps build an exceptionally trained and skilled workforce for the commercial and industrial construction trade industry.

Other port representatives highlighted the port’s procurement process, policies and advertising initiatives.

In 2016, Port Houston awarded $272 million commitments and awards to small businesses. 

The Port Houston Small Business Advisory Council is a citizen group created to assist program council members to achieve goals, carry out procedures and make operations improvements.

The 16–member council represents a broad spectrum of leaders in small business, contracting, minority and women-owned business associations, community and labor groups.

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