The Port of Fort Smith’s $8.1 million federal grant will rebuild flood-damaged infrastructure and expand operations, boosting regional freight transport.
FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Port of Fort Smith is set to undergo a major expansion, thanks to an $8.1 million federal grant aimed at enhancing rail freight services.
The funding will allow the port to rebuild infrastructure damaged during the 2019 floods and expand its operations to serve 17 western states.
Marty Shell of Five Rivers Distribution shared that the grant has been in the works for two years and will be used to construct three new warehouses, adding 90,000 square feet of storage to the existing 120,000 square feet.
“This site that you see here is about four or five acres, cleared, built up, ready to go, and this is where the future home of the $8.1 million will be spent,” Shell explained.
The expansion is expected to reduce highway congestion by increasing the volume of freight transported by rail.
“These capital improvements help us supply cheaper freight to customers in 17 or 18 different Western states,” Shell said.
Additionally, the project will include new truck parking to support the growing distribution network.
Shell emphasized the significance of this investment for the region, calling it a “game changer.”
“I was very excited, not only for the city of Fort Smith and the Fort Smith Port Authority but also for our region because these dollars could have gone anywhere inside the United States,” he said.
The project, which Shell described as a “well-deserved investment,” is expected to benefit the region for generations. He highlighted its alignment with other regional developments, such as the F-35 mission and the I-49 bridge project, further boosting economic growth and transportation infrastructure.
The grant was secured with support from Senator John Boozman.
Construction is slated to begin by late 2026 and is anticipated to be completed by late 2027.
