SAVANNAH, Ga. – Just back from visiting the White House, Atlanta’s mayor said Tuesday he expects Georgia will win “significant” funding from the federal government to begin a $600 million deepening of the Savannah harbor – an economic priority for the state that’s been threatened by the federal budget crisis.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s ties to the Obama administration have made the Democrat one of the top pitchmen in Georgia’s efforts to expand the Port of Savannah.
Officials want to deepen the Savannah River shipping channel by 6 feet to accommodate supersized cargo ships expected via an expanded Panama Canal by the end of 2014.
“I believe that we are going to be successful in obtaining a significant appropriation before the budget process concludes,” Reed told reporters Tuesday after speaking in Savannah to a seminar of the American Association of Port Authorities.
Reed declined to discuss specifics of why he’s so optimistic. But it’s one of the most positive statements made by any supporter of the port expansion all year.