Port officials and backers are hailing Gov. Rick Scotts decision to float $22.5 million in transportation funding to pump up the petroleum capacity at the Port of Tampa.
The Florida Ports Council says the money will help Florida in its fight against other coastal states for growing international trade.
The Florida Petroleum Marketing and Convenience Store Association looks at the expansion of the ports ability to handle more petroleum as an opportunity to bulk up on supplies in a state that annually faces threats of hurricanes from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
The work, expected to take at least two years to complete, will grow the capacity at the port from its current ability to handle 112 million barrels of petroleum a year to approximately 147 million barrels.
More importantly, for the Tampa Port Authority, the project will require about 640 to 800 construction jobs and create 2,500 to 8,300 jobs directly and indirectly around the port.
Scott, who was in Tampa on Thursday with members of the Cabinet for the opening of the Florida State Fair, announced the project at the Florida State Fair governors luncheon.
By prioritizing vital transportation projects, we can make Florida a better place for businesses to grow and expand and help get Floridians back to work, Scott stated in a release.
This project will enhance Floridas infrastructure and get our state ready for a new generation of international trade with the Caribbean, South America and beyond.
The money will be matched by the Tampa Port Authority to build two new petroleum berths and refurbish three existing berths and manifolds, pipelines and related facilities, to handle a diverse range of petroleum and liquid bulk products.
Tampa Port Director Richard Wainio praised Scott for being clearly and consistently focused on the importance of strategic development and investment in trade and port infrastructure.
The Florida Ports Council says the funding will help Florida as it battles Georgia, South Carolina and other coastal states to attract more international trade.
The continued commitment of Governor Scott and the Florida Department of Transportation to improve Floridas seaport infrastructure will help create and maintain thousands of jobs that are being sought by competitor states, Doug Wheeler, president of the Florida Ports Council, stated in a release.
Last year, Scott shipped $77 million from the state DOT into the Port of Miami to dredge the channel from its current 42 feet to 50-to-52 feet so it could handle the large Panamax vessels that will flow with more cargo through an expanded Panama Canal starting in 2014.
The governors office has projected the Port of Miami work will create 30,000 jobs.
Ned Bowman, executive director, said there is a need throughout Florida for more petroleum storage.
Florida is kind of unique where its a peninsula, we stick out into the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, Bowman said. The only way to get out of Florida is up [Interstate] 75 or 95 and you need gasoline or fuel to leave the state and leave different areas.
I know the governor has made the commitment to expand some of the ports to make them deepwater, and I think its going to create a lot of jobs and I think its good hes looking down the road to bring in more capacity."
The petroleum that comes through the port, which estimates that it generates almost $8 billion a year in economic impact, serves almost 9 million people, providing the area's automotive and aviation jet fuel.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
