Document oDpq4q1J3E9mj8EQm3r4mpbzg

From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: Harder, Jonathan Wed, 30 Jul 2025 18:08:41 +0000 Matesic, Hannah (OST) FW: BUILD Grant 693JF7190013 - Southeast Missouri Reg Port Authority image001.png, image002.png, image003.png, image004.png, image005.png k This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hannah, Can we get a status update on this BUILD Grant request? Thanks, Jonathan Harder Deputy Chief of Staff Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) Office: From: Cary Harbison <cary.harbisonsemoport.com> Date: July 29, 2025 at 12:19:48 PM CDT To: "Nichols, Bryan" <Bryan.Nichols@mail.house.gov> Subject: Fwd: BUILD Grant 693JF7190013 - Southeast Missouri Reg Port Authority Bryan, I received your contact information from a mutual contact at the Missouri Department of Transportation. Semo Port is currently experiencing issues with the 2018 BUILD Grant, administered by USDOT/OST/MARAD. Due to elevated costs for the final portion of the project, we requested a mutual partial termination of the grant. I've attached a letter sent to Secretary Duffy's office that details the challenges we've faced with MARAD's grant administration. We have already notified Senator Hawley, Senator Schmitt, and Representative Smith OST-2025-1200 Page 02854 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028564 about these issues. Given Representative Graves' role as the Transportation Committee Chairman, we believe it's important to make his office aware of the difficulties we've encountered with USDOT/MARAD as well. On June 30, a Teams conference call was held with OST/MARAD representatives, including: * Connor Torossian, USDOT OST, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Government Affairs * Francisco Aponte, USDOT OST, Administration Support Specialist Office of Assistant Secretary for Government Affairs * Allie Cameron, USDOT MARAD, Director of Governmental and Legislative Affairs * Christopher Yablonski, USDOT OST, Senior Advisor * Jack (Jonathon) Priebe, USDOT OST, Special Assistant for Government Affairs * Kristen Amarosa, USDOT OST, Legislative Affairs Officer * Loren Smith, USDOT OST, Deputy Assistant Secretary * Sabrina McNeal, USDOT OST, Congressional Affairs Specialist During that meeting, Kristen Amarosa mentioned that a response to our letter was being prepared. However, that was four weeks ago, and when I followed up last week, I was informed that they are still working on it with no timeline for completion. I am concerned that USDOT/OST may not fully grasp the urgency of these issues, especially with the grant closeout deadline approaching on September 30, 2025. Any assistance your office can provide would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Sincerely, Cary G. Harbison, P.E. Executive Director, Semo Port (b)(6) Forwarded message From: Cary Harbison <cary.harbisonRsemoport.com> Date: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 at 12:52 PM Subject: BUILD Grant 693JF7190013 - Southeast Missouri Reg Port Authority To: <secretaryduffy@dot.gov> Dear Secretary Duffy, Please find attached a letter concerning the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority's BUILD Grant. This letter outlines significant concerns and issues regarding MARAD's administration of the grant. OST-2025-1200 Page 02855 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028565 I am available to provide any additional information you may need to fully understand the challenges we are experiencing. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to discuss this further. Sincerely, Cary G. Harbison, P.E. Executive Director, Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties, Missouri (b)(6) CC: Senator Hawley Senator Schmitt Representative Smith OST-2025-1200 Page 02856 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028566