Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $2 million award to the Manatee County Port Authority, intended for infrastructure improvements at SeaPort Manatee. This funding comes from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund and will be used for the reconstruction and repaving of essential roadways, including South Dock Street, along with necessary stormwater mitigation enhancements. These upgrades aim to bolster port resiliency, support economic growth, and assist in recovering from the 2024 hurricane season’s economic impacts.
“Today’s investment in SeaPort Manatee will grow Florida’s export potential and increase manufacturing in our great state,” stated Governor Ron DeSantis. He emphasized the importance of strengthening Florida’s ports as the state continues to attract more domestic and international business.
Jared W. Perdue, P.E., Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), highlighted the critical need for infrastructure investments at SeaPort Manatee due to its growth. “Seaports are the backbone of Florida’s supply chain and with the growth at SeaPort Manatee, infrastructure investments are critically needed,” he said. Perdue expressed gratitude towards Governor DeSantis and FloridaCommerce for facilitating this through the Job Growth Grant Fund.
The planned improvements are expected to meet growing demands from existing and new businesses expanding their operations, thereby creating jobs. The project is anticipated to generate 300 jobs while enhancing port efficiency. It also supports an expansion by Honeywell, a manufacturer of home, aerospace, and automotive products. Over the next five years, these enhancements are projected to attract new businesses such as a cold storage warehouse, a fuel terminal, and a manufacturing facility.
The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an initiative aimed at promoting public infrastructure development and workforce training across Florida. Proposals submitted are reviewed by FloridaCommerce before being selected by Governor DeSantis based on community needs for workforce training or infrastructure development.
