Gov. DeSantis administration to give $2M grant to SeaPort Manatee after hurricane damage

(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a $2 million grant from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for infrastructure improvements at SeaPort Manatee as it recovers from hurricane damage.

The grant will reconstruct several roads, including South Dock Street, as well as stormwater improvements that state officials say will enhance the port's resiliency, support economic growth and aid the region's recovery from the economic impacts of a busy 2024 hurricane season.

"Today's investment in SeaPort Manatee will grow Florida's export potential and increase manufacturing in our great state," DeSantis said in a news release. "As Florida continues to attract more domestic and international business, it is critical that we bolster Florida's ports for greater operations."

The project, according to state officials, will generate 300 jobs while improving the port and supporting an expansion for Honeywell, which manufactures products for home, aerospace and automotive needs.

The state also says the improvements could help lure new businesses to the port, including a manufacturing plant, cold storage warehouse and a fuel terminal.

"Seaports are the backbone of Florida's supply chain and with the growth at SeaPort Manatee, infrastructure investments are critically needed," said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue in a news release. "I'm grateful for Governor DeSantis and FloridaCommerce for this Florida Job Growth Grant Fund that will allow even more goods to reach communities across the state."

SeaPort Manatee is near the entrance of Tampa Bay and has more than 2 million square feet of warehouse space, with 207,000 of that refrigerated storage. According to the port authority's website, the primary imports are fruit and vegetable juices, refrigerators and freezers, aluminum, calcium, phosphate and bananas, with exports consisting of machinery, wood pulp, metal and paper scrap.

The grant fund is an economic development funding method intended to help with both public infrastructure and workforce training.

Proposals are reviewed by the state's economic development agency, FloridaCommerce, and final decision on the grants comes from the governor.