As Florida Ports Expand, Officials Call For Continued Funding to Handle Bigger Ships
Florida's seaports have added 200,000 jobs to the state's economy since 2012, the Florida Port Council announced at a Tampa press conference Dec. 13.
Local and state officials used the opportunity to call for continued funding for port expansions and upgrades.
"We've invested over $1 billion in our ports in the last six years," Gov. Rick Scott said. "Almost 900,000 jobs are related to our ports, and we're going to keep investing."
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According to the council, Florida's 15 ports have generated about $4 billion in state and local tax revenues. A 3% annual growth rate in cargo was driven by increases in dry bulk commodities, containerized cargo, petroleum, cars and steel products.
Council CEO Doug Wheeler said that the state has been doing a better job at attracting cargo from Latin American markets. The challenge, he said, is ensuring that the ports are able to handle the increasing size of cargo and cruise ships.
