In a move that could bring an estimated 200 permanent jobs to Louisiana's River Parishes, the Port of South Louisiana has been awarded a $900,000 federal grant to construct a rail spur in Reserve, officials said Wednesday.

On Wednesday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce William H. Lash III visited the port's Globalplex Intermodal Terminal in Reserve to present the award to local officials. Lash said the money will be used to connect two railroad lines at the port, which eventually should attract more businesses to the region and create more high-paying jobs.

"This port is vital to our national economy," Lash said. "This is the largest port in the country in terms of tonnage."

The rail spur will add one mile of track and connect the Canadian National-Illinois Central Railroad with the Kansas City Southern Railroad, officials said. The entire project is estimated to cost $1.35 million. Connecting the two railroad lines means more cargo can be shipped in and out of the port more efficiently, officials said. If more cargo is shipped, officials hope that more businesses would be attracted to and use the port.

On Wednesday morning, port officials had an outdoor ceremony where they formally accepted the grant and spoke about what the project could mean to the local economy.

Joseph Accardo, the port's executive director, said the federal grant will help to expand the Globalplex Terminal and could create even more jobs. "We're not going to stand still or let progress slow down," he said. "We will work to bring in new businesses and new industries."