The Jacksonville Port Authority, known as JAXPORT, has been highlighted in a recent study for its significant economic impact on Northeast Florida and the state as a whole. The study, commissioned by JAXPORT and conducted by Martin Associates from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, reveals that the port contributes $33 billion annually to the economy and supports nearly 207,000 jobs across Florida.
The report emphasizes that the past five years have been notably productive for JAXPORT. It states there has been “double-digit growth in the port’s total statewide job impact over the last five years.” This increase is largely due to cargo activities extending beyond Jacksonville to other parts of Florida. In Jacksonville alone, 28,194 jobs are linked directly or indirectly to JAXPORT operations.
These local positions offer an average salary of $76,356 per year, surpassing Florida's average income of $55,980. A key factor in this growth is attributed to the deepening of shipping channels in the St. Johns River. The most recent phase was completed in 2022 with channels at Blount Island Terminal being deepened from 40 feet to 47 feet at a cost of $419.5 million from federal and other funds.
“The investment in port infrastructure and the initiation of the St. Johns River deepening project has resulted in job growth over the 2018-2023 period,” according to the report. “This type of investment has led to increased diversification of the markets and cargoes served by JAXPORT, in turn providing high-paying jobs in the local community and generating state and local tax revenue.”
Additionally, Jacksonville's cruise industry also plays a role in this economic landscape. The cruise terminals near Blount Island contribute $211 million locally and support about 870 jobs. Norwegian Cruise Line's upcoming operations at Jacksonville's terminal are expected to create another 336 cruise-related jobs by 2025.
In 2023 alone, approximately 195,000 passengers embarked on cruises from JAXPORT.