Gov. Nathan Deal today hailed the U.S. House passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act as a “critical victory” in the effort to deepen the Savannah Harbor, Georgia’s No. 1 economic development project. Senate and White House approval of this bipartisan legislation is expected to follow soon.

“This landmark legislation will update an outdated spending cap that was put on the Savannah Harbor deepening project more than a decade ago, eliminating the last legislative hurdle and allowing us to use the money we have set aside to begin construction,” Deal said. “With the understanding that we’ll have a federal-state split on funding, Georgia has lived up to its promises. We’ve now put aside $266 million — the total state share. This project is vitally important for economic development and job creation not only in the Southeast, but nationally as well. In fact, our nation will begin to receive a 5-to-1 return on investment once this is completed.”

The bill authorizes $706 million for the dredging project, which includes both the state and federal portions.

“Georgia and its congressional delegation have worked diligently and patiently to see this project through to fruition, a project that the Obama administration has recognized as important on several occasions,” Deal said. “It was just last year that Vice President Biden stood dockside at the Port of Savannah and told Georgians we would get this project done ‘come hell or high water.’ We have been in regulatory purgatory for far too long, but today we have made significant headway. I am grateful to my former colleagues in Congress for doing their part to ensure Georgia is ready as the Panama Canal is enlarged. This has been a long time coming — simply put, it’s time to move dirt.”

“The Georgia Chamber thanks members of the WRRDA House-Senate conference committee for ensuring that funding for the Savannah Harbor deepening remained in the bill and members of the House for passing this important legislation,” said Georgia Chamber president and CEO Chris Clark.  “Deepening the Port of Savannah is one of the most critical economic development opportunities in our state’s history.  We appreciate the Georgia Congressional delegation’s unwavering commitment to this project and we look forward to Senate passage of WRRDA so the deepening can finally move forward.”

Every member of Georgia’s House delegation voted in support of WRRDA today.  The Senate is expected to consider WRRDA later this week.