Posts Tagged “Eastport”
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Port Tampa Bay celebrates the opening of a multi-use cargo berth at the area known as Eastport as one of Florida’s largest ports has gotten larger.
The multipurpose cargo yard is a 20-acre development which features 14-inch reinforced concrete and has been designed as an all-purpose berth and upland, capable of handling containers vessels, roll on/roll off activity and bulk materials handling, port officials said in a news release.
The first phase of the Eastport project started in 2012, and ended in 2013, with a construction investment of approximately $4.6 million, which included necessary mitigation. The second phase started in 2014, concluding in August 2016, with a total cost of about $21 million.
Port Tampa Bay received matching funds from the Florida Department of Transportation.
“With these new cargo berths will come fresh import and export prospects and new partners for the state’s largest port, as well as new jobs and generational impacts that will have lasting, positive effects for our region,” port president and CEO Paul Anderson said in the news release.
Port leaders unveiled a master plan “Vision 2030,” which outlines “comprehensive, business-focused development plans,” according to a news release.
Port Tampa Bay periodically reviews and updates its short- and long-range plans for growth and business development. The new plan provides an “evolving road map that underscores opportunities and challenges in building and maintaining a thriving, world-class seaport,” according to the release.
Recently, the port announced the results of a new economic impact study, which shows the port’s annual economic contribution of $17.2 billion to the regional economy. Additionally, the port now supports about 85,000 direct and indirect jobs. The port traditionally has been one of the largest economic engines in West and Central Florida, officials noted.
“As we move forward in implementing the plans to grow our infrastructure, we will continue to be collaborative and thoughtful in building this port to its highest potential,” Anderson said.