BRUNSWICK, Ga. () — The Port of Brunswick will receive $35 million in additional funding for operations and maintenance, officials said Thursday.

The Brunswick Port was named the nation’s top port for automobiles and heavy equipment, in early February this year.

Officials announced during the State of the Port that the port handled more than two million tons of roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo.

“The Georgia Ports Authority is thankful that the Administration has prioritized the long-anticipated funding needed to properly maintain the Port of Brunswick,” said President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, Griff Lynch. “We are also thankful for the strong advocacy from Chairman Carter, Chairman Collins, and the entire Georgia Congressional delegation on behalf of this crucial gateway. As the largest and busiest U.S. port for handling automobiles and machinery, maintaining Brunswick’s harbor is essential before vessel access to the port becomes restricted.”

Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) issued a statement with the announcement, saying they have collaborated with the Corps to “address unacceptable shortfalls in maintenance at the Port of Brunswick” on Thursday.

Georgia’s U.S. senators sought answers regarding the failure to dredge the port back in February.

Dredging is essential to growth in the harbor, officials said.

“So far, the federal funding and procurement process has fallen short for both the annual maintenance dredging and the harbor modification project,” the Port’s press release stated. “It is essential that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers identifies a viable solution for these nationally significant projects.”