Shifting market dynamics, unresolved systemic issues and funding backlogs have forced the state’s five lower Mississippi River ports to abandon old paradigms and instead join forces to create a more unified strategy, reports 10/12 Industry Report in its spring issue.
Local and state leaders were becoming increasingly concerned that the old way of doing things might be costing the state business. “It wasn’t hard to read between the lines,” says Joe Toomy, former chairman of the Port of New Orleans and an early proponent of port collaboration. “The Legislature wanted the ports working together.”
They hope their recent collaborations will produce additional returns by strengthening their collective ability to attract funding. Port infrastructure investment is a stated priority at LED, but the Port Priority Fund consistently lags far behind demand. Read more.
