U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) announced the awarding of a $12.6 million grant to help support Port Tampa Bay, which Castor referred to as "the economic engine that keeps everything running," a recent WTSP report said.
"The grants we're announcing will go to fund local projects, but often the benefits will be felt across the region or even nationally," Pete Buttigieg, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, told USDOT Newswire. "The Tampa Bay Port Project is a great example."
The grant, funded by the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden last year, will be used to create another berth at the City of Tampa's Port Redwing at the newly-expanded Big Bend Channel; Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson said in the report. The new docking area will allow a third ship to be worked on concurrently, making the port's service for large vessels more efficient.
"This project will have a generational impact on our community and our citizens in terms of economic development and good paying jobs," Anderson said.
Castor also commented on the port’s importance to the region.
“People that shop, live here, go to school, are building new homes probably don’t realize that it’s Port Tampa Bay and all of the cargo and trade that happens here that is making sure...that our economy keeps moving along," she said in the report. "And we really need help to lower costs for families and help with untangling supply chains and that’s what Port Tampa Bay does as the largest and most diverse port in the state of Florida."
