VAA Secures $54.9 Million in Federal Funding for Client Projects

Minneapolis, Minn. (May 22, 2026) – VAA is excited to share news of client success following the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s announcement of its FY25 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant award recipients.  

GROWMARK, The DeLong Co., and Conserv FS, all key stakeholders in the agriculture industry, have been awarded federal funding towards their respective projects following PIDP applications that were submitted in September 2025.  

• $27.32 million – GROWMARK, Inc.  

• $16.39 million – The DeLong Co., Inc.  

• $11.22 million – Conserv FS Inc.  

The three are among a total of 37 projects receiving awards in the 2025 cycle. When added together, the three awards represent a total of $54.9 million in federal grant funding.  

Discretionary funding from the program is awarded on a competitive basis to projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port, as stated by the U.S. DOT on its website.

VAA assisted GROWMARK, DeLong, and Conserv FS with their grant funding strategies and assembled narratives that stood out against a competitive application pool (a total of 1,116 PIDP submissions in 2025).  

Throughout its work with clients during the 2025 cycle, VAA helped submit a total of five PIDP applications across five states (Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Virginia). Of these five, the three winning submissions represent a comparatively high rate of success (60 percent) not typically achieved by firms offering grant assistance services.  

“Federal grants are the catalyst for bringing our clients’ projects to life, strengthening communities, advancing industries, supporting regional growth, and contributing to the nation’s economy,” said Partner Kevin Full, leader of VAA’s Port and River Terminals group. “An idea of a project does not succeed on its own; success depends on the story we tell, the benefits we demonstrate, the public support we build, and the due diligence we perform to prove a project is truly shovel ready.”  

VAA congratulates GROWMARK, DeLong, and Conserv FS on these transformative achievements. The following is a closer look at each award, and the projects the funding will go towards.  

$27.32 million – GROWMARK, Inc.  

Project: West Quincy Port Development Project, West Quincy, MO 

In partnership with the Marion-Ralls Regional Port Authority, agriculture supply cooperative GROWMARK, Inc. has been awarded $27,324,552 in PIDP funding towards a large project in West Quincy, Missouri. The project will construct a barge receiving dock and receiving conveyors, and an approximately 21,000-ton dry fertilizer warehouse with a loading tower and blending system.  

$16.39 million – The DeLong Co., Inc.  

Project: Portsmouth Agricultural Intermodal Export Facility – Phase 2 Project, Portsmouth, VA 

In partnership with the Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission, DeLong, a family-owned agriculture company, has been awarded $16,399,364 in PIDP funding towards the second phase of a large project underway in Portsmouth, Virginia. The project includes the construction of two 70-foot diameter concrete silos for additional storage, the installation of a feed conveyance system, and operational equipment. 

$11.22 million – Conserv FS Inc.  

Project: Enhancing and Expanding the Economic Capacity and Output on the Illinois River Project, Seneca, IL 

In partnership with the Seneca Regional Port District, agricultural supply company Conserv FS has been awarded $11,221,110 in PIDP funding towards a project in Senaca, Illinois, along the Illinois River. The project will develop a fertilizer storage, blending, and bagging facility.  

What is the Port Infrastructure Development Program? 

The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) is a discretionary federal grant program overseen by the U.S. DOT’s Maritime Administration. Funds are awarded to projects that meet national goals towards improving safety, efficiency, or reliability of port infrastructure and movement of goods.  

How does VAA help clients secure grant funding?  

VAA’s Public Funding Strategy group specializes in sourcing, strategizing and facilitating federal, state and local grant funding opportunities for clients. Leveraging decades of experience and regulatory savvy, VAA is at the forefront of new initiatives focused on optimizing port, river, rail, or maritime capabilities. Whether it is a large-scale expansion or a small renovation, VAA helps clients identify projects within their agenda and budget that are strong candidates to receive funding from grant programs, like PIDP.  Learn more by contacting us today.