MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The state of Alabama is offering money to help develop its inland ports.
The Department of Economic and Community Affairs says it's accepting applications for grants of as much as $1 million to help improve infrastructure at ports located away from the coast.
Money could be used for improvements like storage, moorings, new construction and maintenance.
The grants are being offered through a $5 million program created by state legislators earlier this year.
Alabama has inland ports along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in western Alabama, and there are more port facilities located in Florence and in Jefferson County near Birmingham.
The head of the state agency overseeing the program, Kenneth Boswell, says the grants will help inland ports increase cargo and get products to coastal areas.