Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today that Port Manatee is receiving $9 million to expand infrastructure at the port, which will help create more than 1,000 jobs in our community. The Manatee County Port Authority and the Brownsville Navigation District of Texas are receiving a Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery (TIGER II) grant to more efficiently move freight along the Marine Highway system.

 “Port Manatee’s grant award is good news for our community because the Port is a major economic engine in our region,” Castor said. “This money will help the Port increase business and create new jobs.”

A recent analysis has found that Port Manatee supports more than 14,000 jobs in Manatee County; more than 18,000 in the Tampa Bay area; and more than 20,000 throughout the state of Florida.

In addition to this award, Castor helped secure for Port Manatee and the Port of Brownsville a $3.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for improvements that will lead to increased container shipment business. The grant was awarded last month. Castor also worked to help Port Manatee receive $1 million for security through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Castor has also worked to bring Recovery Act money to the Port of Tampa, including $2.2 million for pier reconstruction and bulkhead replacement. Shipyards also received millions of dollars for drydock expansion projects. These initiatives are creating jobs in the Tampa Bay area.

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