Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has awarded $2 million to the Manatee County Port Authority through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) for infrastructure improvements at SeaPort Manatee. This funding will support the reconstruction of key roadways, including South Dock Street, and implement essential stormwater mitigation. The enhancements aim to bolster port resilience, promote economic growth, and aid recovery from the impacts of the 2024 hurricane season.
“Today’s investment will enhance Florida’s export potential and increase manufacturing,” DeSantis said. “Strengthening our ports is essential as we attract more businesses.”
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., emphasized the importance of these infrastructure investments for Florida’s supply chain and thanked Governor DeSantis and FloridaCommerce for the grant, which will help ensure more goods reach communities.
The project is expected to create 300 jobs while improving port efficiency and supporting an expansion for Honeywell, a manufacturer of various products. The upgrades will also attract new businesses over the next five years, including a cold storage warehouse and a fuel terminal.
The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund promotes public infrastructure and workforce training statewide, with proposals reviewed by FloridaCommerce and selected by Governor DeSantis.
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