Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a total of $8.8 million in funding for projects at JAXPORT and Port Tampa Bay aimed at enhancing the storage and transportation of aggregate materials. The funding includes $2.6 million for a project at JAXPORT to improve storage capacity and rail access, while Port Tampa Bay will receive $6.2 million to build the Berth 218 aggregate terminal, which is expected to handle an additional 500,000 tons of limerock each year.
Aggregates such as gravel, stone, and sand are essential for construction and roadway projects and are regularly transported through both ports. These new investments aim to strengthen Florida’s supply chain by increasing aggregate storage capacity crucial for infrastructure development and the production of asphalt and concrete.
Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating: “A strong supply chain is key to Florida’s economic strength. We can’t rely on Washington—we need Florida-based solutions.” He added that these grants would help boost state capacity and ensure timely delivery of vital materials to various projects.
Jared W. Perdue, P.E., Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, highlighted the impact on local communities: “Many Floridians don’t spend a lot of time thinking about construction materials until a disruption in our ability to supply those materials impacts their community.” He credited Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for supporting measures that will enable the transportation construction industry to maintain progress on critical infrastructure projects.
These developments underscore efforts by state leaders to enhance local infrastructure capabilities without relying solely on federal support.