The Port of Tampa is easily taken for granted by most locals, including those who cruise out of it. But it’s the main economic engine for all of west/central Florida. It’s worth 96,000 port-related jobs and $8 billion in economic impact.
With positive economic news at a premium these days, it was reassuring to see reasons for buoyant attitudes at the port.
It was recently announced that a Louisiana shipper, Gary Chouest, will take over Tampa Bay Shipbuilding & Repair Co., keep the 500 employees, and expand facilities to build new ships. First up will be a $30-million supply ship, the first new vessel to be built at the local yard in two decades.
On the same day, the port moved closer to being a much bigger player in the container-cargo business — which is where the future is. Port commissioners granted port director Richard Wainio permission to hire an engineering firm to start designing the expansion of the container terminal. Plans call for construction to begin in early 2009 on the first $17-million phase of what could eventually become a $70-million to $100-million project.