WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $24 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to support the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority's (PMCRA) Riverport West Project. Since December of 2025, Congressman Comer has pushed DOT to award a BUILD grant for the Riverport West Project. His constant communication with DOT over the last eight months has included setting up a meeting for PMCRA and Paducah community leaders to meet with high-level staff at DOT Headquarters in D.C., sending a letter to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, and calling senior DOT officials to underscore the project's importance to western Kentucky's economy, transportation infrastructure, and long-term growth.
“The Department of Transportation’s decision today to award a $24 million BUILD grant for the Riverport West Project is a major win for McCracken County and will help unlock new opportunities for economic growth across our region. I am proud to support the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority and its community partners whose leadership and vision have made this transformative project possible. I will continue to work with our community leaders and the Trump Administration to support investments that strengthen western Kentucky's infrastructure, create jobs, and expand economic opportunities,” said Congressman Comer.
“On behalf of the Paducah McCracken County Riverport Authority, we would like to thank Congressman Comer for his support in the development and federal funding for Riverport West. These grant funds mark a critical milestone in positioning Riverport West as a catalyst for economic growth across Western Kentucky. Congressman Comer's support and advocacy, along with Senators McConnell and Paul, has been instrumental in helping us secure the BUILD grant funds necessary to construct the first phase of Riverport West,” said PMCRA Executive Director Jimmie Garrett.
Background:
McCracken County is uniquely located at the confluence of the two largest rivers in our nation's Marine Highway System - the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers - and at the junction of three states, making it an ideal location for federal investments to conduct the necessary planning and design work to prepare the site for construction. Paducah Riverport West will serve as an extension of the main public port, which has leased nearly all parcels available, demonstrating the need for an expansion of the community's current capacity. The region has a high volume of manufactured goods and agricultural products that are shipped by domestic barge companies headquartered in Paducah. The Riverport West Project will strengthen Kentucky’s transportation network, support local jobs, and create new opportunities for economic growth across the region.
“The Department of Transportation’s decision today to award a $24 million BUILD grant for the Riverport West Project is a major win for McCracken County and will help unlock new opportunities for economic growth across our region. I am proud to support the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority and its community partners whose leadership and vision have made this transformative project possible. I will continue to work with our community leaders and the Trump Administration to support investments that strengthen western Kentucky's infrastructure, create jobs, and expand economic opportunities,” said Congressman Comer.
“On behalf of the Paducah McCracken County Riverport Authority, we would like to thank Congressman Comer for his support in the development and federal funding for Riverport West. These grant funds mark a critical milestone in positioning Riverport West as a catalyst for economic growth across Western Kentucky. Congressman Comer's support and advocacy, along with Senators McConnell and Paul, has been instrumental in helping us secure the BUILD grant funds necessary to construct the first phase of Riverport West,” said PMCRA Executive Director Jimmie Garrett.
Background:
McCracken County is uniquely located at the confluence of the two largest rivers in our nation's Marine Highway System - the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers - and at the junction of three states, making it an ideal location for federal investments to conduct the necessary planning and design work to prepare the site for construction. Paducah Riverport West will serve as an extension of the main public port, which has leased nearly all parcels available, demonstrating the need for an expansion of the community's current capacity. The region has a high volume of manufactured goods and agricultural products that are shipped by domestic barge companies headquartered in Paducah. The Riverport West Project will strengthen Kentucky’s transportation network, support local jobs, and create new opportunities for economic growth across the region.