SeaPort Manatee gets $9.5 million in state funding to boost development

SeaPort Manatee will receive $9.5 million in emergency funding from the state of Florida to accelerate recovery efforts following the damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the funding during a visit to the port on Monday, October 14.

Also Read: Harbor Manatee resumes delivering fuel to hurricane-ravaged Florida areas

“With this funding, our goal is to minimize disruption to Floridians and return to full operations at the Manatee Seaport as quickly as possible,” DeSantis said. “A strong supply chain is critical, and we are committed to getting the port back to full operations as quickly as possible.” The way it should be.”

Significant damage and urgency

Preliminary damage assessments put potential losses at the port at up to $200 million, affecting warehouses, berths, container yards, office space and security systems. Governor DeSantis noted that insurance does not cover all losses.

The $9.5 million package will be allocated as follows:

1. $5.5 million for emergency berth repairs and dredging
2. $3.5 million for immediate security upgrades and access controls
3. $500,000 to plan for enhanced infrastructure to prepare for future events

Additionally, state agency staff and the Florida National Guard will provide support during recovery operations, including perimeter security.

Recovery progresses steadily

Days after the storm made landfall on October 9, Harbor Manatee has resumed delivering fuel, food and essential supplies to Southwest and Central Florida.

Carlos Buqueras, executive director of Seaport Manatee, attributes the port’s quick recovery to a coordinated effort among county, state and federal partners. “We are already operating in an almost normal manner and this funding will get us completely back on track,” Buklas said.

Manatee County Port Authority Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge expressed gratitude for the state’s support. “This funding ensures we have everything we need to resume full operations at the port,” he said.

Strategic trade center to support regional growth

Located at the intersection of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Manatee Harbor is an important gateway to Southwest and Central Florida. The port is connected to major logistics networks, including the Tampa-Orlando I-4 corridor, and can accommodate a variety of cargo from containers to heavy cargo and bulk cargo.

SeaPort Manatee generates nearly $7.3 billion in annual economic impact and supports more than 42,000 direct and indirect jobs. It operates independently and does not rely on local property tax funds, reinforcing its importance as a self-sufficient trading center.

The state’s emergency funding will help ensure that the Manatee Seaport, already critical to the region’s supply chain, can fully recover and continue to drive economic growth.