FY24 MS HCDC Seaway Rail Truck Site

The FY24 MS HCDC Seaway Rail Truck Site grant opportunity is a discretionary grant administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) through its Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The opportunity falls under the broader Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which is cataloged under Assistance Listing 20.337. This program supports projects that enhance rail safety, efficiency, and reliability across the United States, with a particular emphasis on public benefit and infrastructure investment. This grant is designed to support the design and construction of a public-access rail-truck trans-load facility in Gulfport, Mississippi. The facility is intended to enhance multimodal freight transfer capabilities in the region, improving logistical efficiencies and regional economic competitiveness. Specifically, the project will enable seamless transfer of freight between rail and truck transport modes, serving regional shippers and reducing transportation bottlenecks. The funding was Congressionally Directed, indicating its inclusion in federal appropriations legislation with the intent to serve a critical infrastructure need identified by local stakeholders and federal representatives. Eligibility for this grant is highly specific: only the Harrison County Development Commission (HCDC) in Mississippi is permitted to apply. This exclusivity limits competition but aligns with the nature of Congressionally Directed Spending, which often targets a single known applicant for a pre-identified project. Because of this restriction, no general applicant pool or broader eligibility criteria apply. The grant offers a maximum award of $3,000,000, with a mandatory cost share or matching requirement. However, no specific match percentage or ratio was disclosed in the source materials. Prospective applicants are expected to contribute non-federal funds toward the total project cost, in accordance with the standard CRISI Program practices, which typically require a minimum 20% non-federal match unless otherwise specified. The grant opportunity opened for applications on February 5, 2026, and the application window will close on March 1, 2026. No pre-application steps such as Letters of Intent or concept papers were noted in the grant synopsis. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by the deadline; details on required attachments, forms, or portal processes were not specified, which is typical for notices where the eligible applicant is pre-designated and likely familiar with federal submission protocols. Applicants or interested parties who encounter difficulty accessing the full announcement are advised to contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk at 1.866.577.0771 or 202.401.5282 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET). No specific program officer name or email address was provided in the announcement, and no downloadable PDF or NOFO link was made available through the source listing. The grant opportunity is not stated to be recurring, and there is no indication of annual or cyclical funding for similar projects.