To read all of InsiderAdvantage Georgia’s daily news, SUBSCRIBE HERE. *Subscription includes a complimentary subscription to JAMES Magazine.

Georgia’s U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock announced Monday that they have secured funding for the establishment of a new inland port in Hall County that will allow expansion of operations through the Port of Savannah. The two Senators worked with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to secure the $2 million grant for road and infrastructure improvements necessary for the establishment for the inland port that will provide a direct link to the Port of Savannah via Norfolk Southern.

This new federal funding is expected to create nearly 700 jobs and generate $185 million in private investment, according to information from the Senators’ offices.

“It is exciting to see this funding in place,” said Griff Lynch, the Georgia Ports Authority’s executive director. “Improvements to adjacent roadways will further increase the public safety, economic development and job creation opportunities of the planned inland port.”

Both Ossoff and Warnock visited the Port of Savannah recently. And last March, Ossoff secured commitments from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shalanda Young to work to fund the completion of the Port of Savannah deepening project. Ossoff also recently secured commitments from top executives at some of America’s largest banks to work on expanding private investment in infrastructure, transportation, and clean energy — including the Port of Savannah deepening project.

“This EDA investment in Hall County will facilitate the expansion of the region’s research and development sector while improving the Georgia Ports Authority inland ports, creating new economic opportunities and jobs for local citizens,” said Secretary Raimondo.

“As promised, we are delivering resources to create Georgia jobs by upgrading our infrastructure and expanding Georgia’s ports,” said Ossoff. “When we invest in our infrastructure, we help bolster our state’s economy and create local jobs, benefiting Georgia’s workers and families. I am proud to see these funds go to Hall County, and will keep fighting for additional federal investments that will help strengthen our transportation infrastructure and manufacturing capacity in northeast Georgia,” said Warnock.