Michigan Maritime and Port Facility Assistance Grants

The Michigan Maritime and Port Facility Assistance Grant Program provides financial assistance for maritime projects that help strengthen Michigan's economic competitiveness, reduce the cost of freight transportation, improve supply chain reliability, and mitigate the impact of freight movement on the environment. Established by Senate Bill 744 and House Bill 5291, this competitive program supports public and private commercial port infrastructure across the Great Lakes state.

Eligible applicants are owners of port facilities operating for public purposes, including public-private partnerships and joint applicants that own, lease, or have control of the project site. Applicants must certify that they are in full compliance with all federal and state environmental laws and have not received notice of any environmental violations within the past three years. While cost sharing is not mandatory, priority is given to projects that provide matching funds, as well as to facility owners that have achieved or are applying to achieve or improve Green Marine certification.

Eligible projects encompass capital improvements at marine cargo terminals, including dredging and dredge disposal facilities, seawall rehabilitation, construction of wharves and breakwaters, modernizing intermodal freight interchange facilities, acquiring heavy cargo-handling equipment, transitioning to clean technologies, and conducting associated planning and engineering. Ineligible activities include operating expenses, contract administration, project refinancing, and passenger marine transportation costs.

Applicants must complete MDOT Form 1487 and submit required attachments, including project drawings, a detailed cost estimate, environmental compliance certifications, and a merit criteria narrative (maximum 10 pages) addressing economic benefits, environmental improvements, public benefits, project readiness, innovation, and measurable annual performance goals. Applications are submitted electronically to MDOT's Freight Policy Specialist.