OGDENSBURG -- The Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority (OBPA) held a groundbreaking ceremony this week for a $2.4 million construction project that will see construction of two large grain bins at the Port of Ogdensburg.

The two new grain bins will hold 800 tons of grain each. In addition, the facility will have a feeder elevator, conveyors, a rail unloading facility and truck loading facility.

The construction project will help to automate rail unloading and truck loading of grain products that serve the local agricultural industry.

Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, helped secure funding for the project. She noted that it served three of her priority areas - job creation, the agricultural industry and the port's International Longshoremen Association (ILA).

"The Authority would like to specifically thank Senator Ritchie for her efforts in assisting the Port of Ogdensburg in obtaining project funding," said Wade A Davis, Executive Director, "the project will benefit local farms, local jobs, and provide new opportunities for export and imports of agricultural commodities."

Photo – OBPA groundbreaking – Oct. 2016

Pictured from left in back row Tim Dawley, ILA; David Putney, ILA; Kevin Elliot, Aubertine & Currier; Matt Morgia, Aubertine & Currier; Jerry Hebda, New York & Ogdensburg Railway; Joe Lightfoot, County Legislator & Chris Todd, Aubertine and Currier. Front row Sam Burns, OBPA Board Member; Doug Loffler, OBPA Board Member; Senator Patty Ritchie; Wade Davis, OBPA Executive Director; Wayne Ashley, City of Ogdensburg Mayor; Larry Danko, Danko Construction; Steve Lawrence, OBPA Director of Operations; and Sarah Purdy, Ogdensburg City Manager.