{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2110", "Ezell Applauds Federal Grant Award to Port of Gulfport to Strengthen Infrastructure and Supply Chains", "2026-05-01", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Mike Ezell", "E000235", "ezell.house.gov", "ezell", "https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) announced that the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport has been awarded $11.25 million in funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to support critical infrastructure improvements at the Port of Gulfport.\n\nThe funding will support the Gulfport Strategic Seaport Infrastructure Improvement Project, a key initiative aimed at enhancing the Port\u2019s ability to efficiently move both commercial and military cargo.\n\n\u201cThis is a major win for Mississippi and for our nation\u2019s supply chain,\u201d Ezell said. \u201cThe Port of Gulfport plays a vital role in supporting our economy and our national defense. This investment will strengthen its capabilities, improve efficiency, and ensure it remains a critical asset for years to come. I was proud to support this application and advocate for these resources. This investment will deliver long-term benefits for our military, our businesses, and our local communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cSecuring this award required strong partnership at every level,\u201d Jon Nass, CEO and executive director of the Port of Gulfport said. \u201cWe are grateful to Congressman Ezell for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the Port in Washington to advance the Port\u2019s growth.\u201d\n\nThe project includes significant rail improvements on the West Pier to expand capacity and increase operational efficiency, as well as the development of a new east-west rail connection to reduce congestion along U.S. 90. In addition, the Port will receive upgraded cargo handling equipment and infrastructure enhancements designed to improve resilience and reliability.\n\nAs one of the nation\u2019s designated Strategic Seaports, the Port of Gulfport is essential to both military readiness and commercial operations along the Gulf Coast. The improvements funded through this grant will help reduce freight bottlenecks, improve public safety, and enhance the overall efficiency of the region\u2019s transportation network.\n\nThe project is also expected to leverage significant private investment, further amplifying its economic impact and reinforcing the Port\u2019s role as a key driver of growth in Mississippi\u2019s Fourth District.", 1, "2026-05-02T05:53:08Z", "2026-05-02T05:54:44Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://ezell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2110"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7451009005308151, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}