Posted on June 13, 2017
We’re excited to see more than $5 million in harbor improvements coming to Ashtabula, Conneaut and Fairport.
This week, U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce announced that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers will start breakwater repair projects in Ashtabula and Conneaut and also dredge the Grand River in Fairport Harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will spend $3 million for repair and construction in Conneaut Harbor, $2.35 million for breakwater repair and dredging in the Ashtabula Harbor and $1.7 million for dredging in Fairport Harbor.
The maintenance work is necessary to keep the infrastructure up to par and allow for continued economic development. While waterway infrastructure work might not sound like the most exciting project, or one that affects average residents on a day-to-day basis, the truth is the harbors are a crucial element of the economic development puzzle in Ashtabula County. Consider:
* Ashtabula Harbor generates about $128 million annually in direct revenue, which supports about 1,625 jobs.
* Conneaut Harbor generates about $96 million annually in direct revenue, which supports more than 1,317 jobs.
Those are not small figures. And while most people think about roads, bridges and sewer lines when they think about infrastructure projects, the harbor and waterways are absolutely vital infrastructure needs that serve both the public — in terms of recreation — and economic good. It helps private businesses, which are economic engines in Ashtabula County, and something the residents of Ashtabula County made a priority loud and clear in the last election. They have demanded politicians find ways to help spur job and economic growth, and keeping the busy harbors at full capacity is a step toward fulfilling that desire.
Joyce said he began working toward supporting the waterways in 2014 after a two-hour boat tour of the Ashtabula River Area of Concern and a meeting with numerous environmental experts and various partners on the remediation and restoration work needed. The Ashtabula Harbor project includes maintenance of coastal navigation structures and obstruction removal as well as routine maintenance dredging, which will remove about 100,000 cubic yards of sediment from the harbor.
The Conneaut Harbor work will repair the East Breakwater End Section, which appears to be settling, according to Joseph Raisian, Conneaut Port Authority chairman.
Fairport Harbor will see $1.7 million for routine maintenance dredging of 120,000 cubic yards of sediment that has accumulated in the harbor. The dredging is necessary to maintain sufficient water depth for commercial navigation in the Grand River.
With talk of Coast Guard cuts and other budgetary hits that would hurt rural areas like Ashtabula County, it is excellent to see some federal dollars coming back into the community for much needed work. We applaud Joyce and all those involved for their work on this, and for continuing to fight to see Ashtabula County get its fair share.
Source: Star Beacon
