15 March 2011
Gov. Rick Scott pledged March 4 to mobilize $77 million in state funds for the Port of Miami to deepen its channel to 50 feet to be able to host larger ships that will soon cross an expanded Panama Canal.
The Port of Miami had been seeking the funds from the federal government, but the Obama Administration did not include the funds in the new budget.
Scott said he will ask for the money to be allocated from a $7 billion Florida transportation fund.
Miami-Dade officials have been pushing for years for a deep dredge, arguing that hosting the larger ships will spur 33,000 new jobs in the county in the next decade as trade volumes soar.
Business and government leaders from greater Miami lauded the governor’s move.
“This is the type of infrastructure project that will pay permanent, long-term dividends, and provide a solid return on investment for Florida’s taxpayers,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Alvarez in a statement.
Scott made the announcement during a meeting in Miami with Colombian officials, who sought support for U.S. Congress to pass a long-pending U.S. free trade agreement with their South American nation.
Scott gave his endorsement both to pending U.S. free trade agreements with Colombia and with Panama, saying the accords will increase Florida jobs as those neighboring nations open their markets and buy more U.S. goods and services. U.S. markets already are open to exports from those countries, he said.
The governor is slated to lead a Florida trade mission to Panama this spring and one to Brazil this fall as part of his drive to create Florida jobs. Brazil is Florida’s largest trade partner by far.