SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday he expects an agreement with the federal government to be finalized later this month allowing Georgia to spend $266 million of its own money upfront to start deepening the busy shipping channel to the Port of Savannah.

If Georgia can sign a cost-sharing agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers before October, it’s possible dredging could get underway in the Savannah River by the end of the year, Deal told reporters after speaking to local economic developers in Savannah.