As he continues to tour the state to promote his "Fighting for Florida's Future" budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Governor Rick Scott visited PortMiami to highlight transportation investments in his 2017-2018 allocations proposal, which includes $10 billion for the Florida Department of Transportation’s Work Program, including $178 million for seaport infrastructure improvements.
"We've got to keep investing if we want to keep getting more jobs," Gov. Scott said following an address at the port, where he said that taxpayers will benefit and wages will increase with more jobs created and filled in the Sunshine State. "You've got to keep recruiting companies."
Between cruise and cargo operations, PortMiami generates $27 billion in economic impact each year and supports over 200,000 jobs. The Governor is looking to continue the growth of the port, which saw a record of more than five million passengers come through last year, and other transportation and commerce projects in other to continue the growth of the state.
“Governor Scott and I share a commitment to creating opportunities for generations of Miamians and Floridians, and we have both prioritized job creation and economic growth in our respective budgets and plans for this year," said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. "I thank the Governor for continuing to invest in PortMiami’s growth for this generation and future generations, and look forward to working together to boost our Port’s regional and national impact in terms of jobs, economic development and tourism.”
According to a recent report from the Florida Ports Council, Florida’s 15 seaports are responsible for $117.6 billion in economic activity, supporting nearly 900,000 jobs, $40 billion in personal income and $4.3 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Mayor Gimenez and Miami-Dade Transit Director Alice Bravo also presented the governor with details on the proposed six-corridor SMART mass transit plan. Scott says he will see what his office and Florida Department of Transportation can do but the governor is assisting county officials in pushing South Florida's Congressional Delegation to fast-track federal funds to get the project started.
If Washington kicks in funding--which Gimenez is seeking to cover half the cost of the project--the state contributes 25% but without federal dollars, the state's commitment is cut in half, resulting in a dramatic rise in the price tag which the county would have to cover.