New Container Port Planned for Alabama Coast

An $80 million measure to help build a container port on the Alabama coast has jumped through its last legislative hoop.

Gov. Bob Riley traveled Monday to the Alabama State Docks to sign into law an appropriation bill to help build the port, which is expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs.

The measure had been the center of much controversy during the 2005 regular legislative session.

"The expansion of the port will give our industries a huge boost and help them compete and win in today's global economy," Riley said in a statement released by his office Monday.

"It will also help us recruit new industries to Alabama because one of the driving forces in a decision to locate a new business is transportation infrastructure," he added. "I want all Alabamians to realize this: This is Alabama's port. When it expands, Alabama's economy expands and all Alabamians, in every county and every community, have more opportunities and a brighter future."

The $80 million appropriation partially will fund an estimated $300 million in construction costs for the port's new container and intermodal terminal, which is on schedule to be completed by mid-2007.

According to Riley's office, the balance of the project costs will come from port authority revenues and a private sector partner that will be selected later this summer.

The appropriation bill didn't come without much struggle.

On May 16, the last day of the regular session, senators from Birmingham and Mobile were locked in debate over the $80 million appropriation for the Alabama Port Authority.

Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, stood at the podium for much of the night on the last day of the regular session, as the state's General Fund budget languished without a vote.

The Birmingham group wanted funding for economic development projects in its area. Those efforts failed, and the docks bill passed not long before the deadline to end the session.

One state lawmaker indicated Monday that the fight isn't over for funding for Birmingham projects.

"We were not opposed to the state docks bill, but we didn't want to be left out of the picture," said state Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham. "We are going to come back in the next session, and we are going to ask for the same type of treatment they gave Mobile."

Rogers said the delegation wants a one-time appropriation of $75 million or $5 million per year for the next 30 years for economic development projects, including a domed stadium in the Magic City. Rogers filibustered the state docks bill when it came before the House.

"I'm coming back just as angry in the next session," he said.

"I'll probably be angrier because I'll have plenty of time to think about it," he added. "Jefferson County is not going to sit still and be treated like stepchildren. We feel like we've been mistreated, and we want to be treated fairly. We are going to come back with an economic development package like they (Mobile lawmakers) did."

Riley on Monday applauded the Mobile area's legislative delegation for successfully ushering the funding bill through the House and Senate.

"They put aside partisan differences, rolled up their sleeves and got to work," Riley said. "They wouldn't take 'no' for an answer from anybody in the Legislature."

The port's expansion will help create a "stronger economy for the people of our state," Riley said.

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman described the Mobile port as "another little advantage" the state will have to recruit new industry and business.

"I think eventually you will see Mercedes shipping out of Mobile instead of Jacksonville, Fla., simply because of the economics -- it's closer and we can turn ships around faster than New Orleans and other coastal ports," he said. "So the automotive industry will have a huge economic impact on Mobile as well, and, I think, especially Hyundai will be using the port."