PALMETTO, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday announced the award of $9.5 million to SeaPort Manatee to jumpstart its recovery and help repair impacted infrastructure following significant damage caused by Hurricane Milton.
SeaPort Manatee is the primary deep-water seaport in Southwest Florida. It receives fuel, fruits and vegetables, appliances, construction materials, and wood for distribution across Southwest Florida and the Southeast.
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Following Hurricane Milton, initial damage assessments indicated potential losses of $225 million at SeaPort Manatee, according to the state.
While many of the port’s losses are insured, some components are not. Damage to the port includes the loss of 10 out of 13 on-site warehouses, 3 of the 10 port-owned docking facilities, and widespread damage to port offices.
“This action to get SeaPort Manatee back to full operations will benefit the people of Florida, ensure the hardening of our infrastructure for future disasters, and ensure normal life is resumed for Floridians as soon as possible,” DeSantis said. “Taking action to address these impacts now is imperative to keep Florida on the road to recovery.”
This investment will include:
- $5.5 million for emergency berth repairs and dredging in state waters;
- $3.5 million for immediate security needs and access control; and,
- $500,000 to support planning activities for fortifying port infrastructure.
In addition to this funding, Gov. DeSantis directed several state agencies to step in and assist the port to expedite recovery efforts.
For every state dollar invested in seaport infrastructure, the expected return on investment for the state is seven dollars in state and local taxes. In 2023, SeaPort Manatee supported 42,094 U.S. jobs, generated $275 million in state and local taxes, and contributed $7.3 billion in economic value to the U.S. economy.
