Rep. Mullin Tours Port Of Muskogee; Discusses Possible Expansion Project

The Port of Muskogee could get a major expansion. The port and navigation channel have been around for five decades.

The 400-mile-long McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System opened for transportation and trading 50 years ago. For Muskogee Port Captain Kenny Salcido, it's not just a river, but his family's legacy. 

“My grandfather actually dredged the navigation channel back in the 60s. So, to me, it’s like keeping the tradition of our family alive, because he was on this river, my father was on the river, and now I’m working on the river,” Salcido said. 

Salcido took News on 6 on a tour, along with Congressman Markwayne Mullin, showing how the Port of Muskogee has recovered since the 2019 historic flooding. 

"After the flood, it knocked a lot of businesses and of course knocked part of the port down which affected a lot of people’s jobs in commerce in Oklahoma. So, seeing it up and running, seeing the excitement, it was great!" Congressman Mullin said. 

The Muskogee Port Authority said it has created over 2,000 jobs and brings in $125 million each year.

Port manager Denny DeSautell said the port is the most diverse port in the county, handling multiple kinds of products and transportation, from barges, trucks and trains.

DeSautell said the port is working with the state to invest $20 to $30 million in expansion projects.

"A '50-Year Rebuild' is what they’re calling it. We could get new docks, new facilities to help with the rail, that would move this along to where we can handle even more customers and more types of products, and even have heavier products,” DeSautell said.

Mullin said he's trying to secure federal funds for the port, and said it needs $250 million in "critical backlog need" funds, used for renovations and repairs.

"This is an economic engine for us and if we’re not investing in it, if we’re not taking care of it then the companies that support it, they’re going to quit investing," Mullin added. 

Congressman Mullin said he wants the port to be included in the $1.3 trillion infrastructure bill, but so far, it has not been accepted.