OPINION:
When most Americans think about ports, they picture massive container ships docking in Los Angeles or Savannah. However, some of our nation’s most vital maritime assets lie not along the coasts but inland in the Great Lakes region. These ports may not always make headlines, but they are central to our national security, economic efficiency, and domestic supply chain resilience. As the federal government considers infrastructure priorities, investing in the Great Lakes port system must be a top-tier objective.
The Great Lakes region is home to more than 100 ports, stretching from Duluth to Buffalo and handling over 230 million tons of cargo annually. These aren’t just regional workhorses they are strategic national assets. The Lakes provide direct maritime access to America’s industrial heartland, connecting cities such as Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, and Milwaukee to the rest of the country via a vast, multimodal network of ships, railroads, and highways. Modernizing these ports will increase the flow of goods throughout the Midwest and beyond more efficiently, more affordably, and more securely. Unfortunately, when it comes to federal support, they’ve been consistently overlooked.
For example, Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants are funds that are intended to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of goods movement at American ports. While the program is competitive and open to all regions, its awards have been heavily skewed in favor of specific areas. Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, 38% of PIDP funding has been allocated to West Coast ports and 34% to East Coast ports. In stark contrast, just 2% of those funds were awarded to Great Lakes ports in the most recent funding cycle.
This disparity isn’t due to a lack of quality applications. Former Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged to me in a FY 2025 budget hearing before the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee that several strong proposals were submitted yet only two projects received funding. These ports serve more than 110 million people across multiple states and provinces, support vital manufacturing supply chains, and play a central role in our national economy. But they are being shortchanged.
As a member of the House Appropriations THUD Subcommittee, I was grateful for the opportunity to bring this issue directly to the attention of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a budget hearing earlier this year and appreciate the Trump Administration’s increased support for the program in its FY 2026 budget request. I look forward to working with President Donald Trump and his team to ensure sufficient funds are allocated to ports in Lake Erie and across the Great Lakes.
From a national security perspective, the importance of these ports cannot be overstated. The Great Lakes support the movement of critical materials, such as iron ore, cement, and aggregates that are essential to military infrastructure and domestic manufacturing. Inland waterways are less susceptible to global shipping disruptions and more easily monitored and protected from cyber or physical threats. Investing in this system builds redundancy into our national logistics network, ensuring that the movement of key commodities can continue even when other routes are compromised.
Cost efficiency is another significant benefit. Investments in port modernization such as dredging, dock improvements, and intermodal connections yield long-term savings not only for local economies but also for national logistics systems.
Lastly, investing in Great Lakes ports enhances the timeliness and reliability of freight movement. In an economy where just-in-time delivery is the standard, delays can cascade through supply chains. Port bottlenecks and outdated infrastructure lead to congestion and uncertainty. With strategic upgrades, these ports can better absorb seasonal peaks, accommodate larger vessels, and process cargo more quickly moving goods faster to factories, stores, and consumers.
Supporting the Great Lakes port system isn’t about local favoritism it’s about recognizing that inland infrastructure is just as critical as our coastal gateways. This is a wise, targeted investment in America’s long-term economic and security posture. I will continue to work in Congress and with the Trump administration to seize the opportunity to invest in our Great Lakes ports not just to support the region, but to strengthen the entire nation.
• Rep. Dave Joyce was elected to represent the 14th Congressional District of Ohio in November 2012 and is currently in his seventh term. He serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, serving as Chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, which scrutinizes federal spending and determines how your tax dollars are spent. He also serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, as well as the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development.
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