Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
August 27, 2022 | Press Releases
CLEVELAND, OH – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) led a roundtable discussion with Cleveland Metroparks and The Port of Cleveland to discuss relevant updates to conservation and operations in the area. The Port of Cleveland leadership and private sector partners provided updates on the Cleveland Harbor, shipping, and Port operations. Cleveland Metroparks leadership and partners provided an update on the Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Study (CHEERS) initiative and related efforts relating to lake conservation, protection, and enhancing public access.
“Thanks to the Port of Cleveland, Cleveland Metroparks, and all other partners for participating in our informative and collaborative roundtable discussion,” said Portman. “It was great to hear more about current Port operations, especially given our country’s ongoing supply chain issues, and to hear about the Metroparks’ important conservation efforts – allowing visitors to enjoy all that the parks have to offer for years to come.”
The Port of Cleveland is one of the largest ports on the Great Lakes. Over 20,000 jobs and $3.5 billion in annual economic activity are tied to the roughly 13 million tons of cargo that move through Cleveland Harbor each year. The Port of Cleveland is the only local government agency whose sole mission is to spur job creation and economic vitality in Cuyahoga County. It also serves as an economic engine for the local community, a key to Northeast Ohio’s global competitiveness, and a crucial partner in building Cuyahoga County’s future.
Established in 1917, Cleveland Metroparks spans more than 24,000 acres across Northeast Ohio including 18 reservations, more than 300 miles of trails, eight golf courses, eight lakefront parks, dining and retail venues, and nationally acclaimed Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The Park District offers thousands of education and recreation programs and events each year across the 49 communities it serves, helping to create connections to nature and promote conservation and sustainability. Cleveland Metroparks is the recipient of the 2021 National Gold Medal “Best in Nation” Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management.
Senator Portman has led efforts to reauthorize and secure funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a results-driven program that is addressing the most serious issues that threaten the ecological and economic wellbeing of the Great Lakes basin. The FY 2022 spending bill includes $348 million for the GLRI, which is $18 million above the FY 2021 spending level of $330 million. This funding for FY 2022 is in addition to the $200 million for the GLRI in FY2022 that Portman worked to secure as part of his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, which will provide the GLRI a total of $1 billion over the next five years.
In addition, earlier this year, Portman applauded the Army Corps FY 2022 spend plan – which will benefit ports like the Port of Cleveland – for its first round of IIJA funding. It included critical investments for the State of Ohio, totaling more than $20 million. In total, the IIJA provides the Army Corps $17.1 billion in additional funding.
Photos from the event can be found below:
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