HANCOCK COUNTY PORT AND HARBOR COMMISSION ANNOUNCES $6.0 MILLION PIDP GRANT FOR SITE 4 FACILITY
October 29, 2026
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS - Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission is pleased to announce the award of a $6.0 million Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant from the Maritime Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal funding will support the construction of the Site 4 Facility Project at Port Bienville.
The funding originates, in part, from a $103.3 million appropriation for discretionary PIDP grants secured in the FY2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Bill, led by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, chair of the Senate T-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee.
The Site 4 Facility Project centers on the construction of a 50,000-square-foot facility strategically situated between Port Bienville’s Dock B and the Port Bienville Shortline Railroad. Located within a federally designated Opportunity Zone, the project builds upon previous infrastructure investments, including a new 600’ dock and rail expansion completed at the site in 2022.
“Over the past several years, the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission has invested in strategic infrastructure, including expanded rail, new docks, and increased utility capacity. Our focus is now shifting toward developing new facilities for companies who can take advantage of these industrial assets.
Our federal delegation recognizes how assets such as Port Bienville, Stennis International Airport, and Stennis Space Center align with emerging industries in our region, including aerospace, defense, and energy. We appreciate how federal awards like this help move projects toward construction, allowing us to maintain our momentum as we pursue new industrial users and create jobs throughout the region.”
Blaine LaFontaine - Executive Director, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
This project will drive regional economic growth by strengthening the competitiveness of existing businesses, protecting jobs, and attracting new manufacturing investments to Hancock County.
About Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
As the county economic development authority, the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission is committed to fostering business investment and job creation. Their focus lies in attracting manufacturing, defense, aviation, and aerospace-related projects to the county. The organization manages the Stennis International Airport and Port Bienville Industrial Park, while also providing support to the Stennis Space Center, NASA’s leading facility for rocket engine testing.
