“The port is an economic driver, not only in Philadelphia, but across the commonwealth,” Wolf said. “The port supports jobs, encourages trade, and builds connections that help businesses and communities across Pennsylvania thrive. This new $246-million investment will help the port build on its success over the past few years and will help Pennsylvania build on our commonwealth’s economic success and job growth, too.”
In 2016, Governor Wolf announced his Port Development Plan to redevelop underutilized areas of the Port of Philadelphia by investing more than $300 million in the port’s infrastructure, warehousing, and equipment. Critical infrastructure investments included the purchase and implementation of three new super post-Panamax cranes at the Packer Avenue Marine terminal, the building of two new warehouses, and the development of the Southport Auto Terminal, the first new port terminal in more than 45 years. Since implementing the infrastructure improvement plan the port has realized record breaking cargo volumes, nearly 60 percent container growth, and created thousands of new jobs.
Joining the governor at the Port of Philadelphia for the announcement was the Port of Philadelphia Board Chairman Jerry Sweeney, state Senator Nikil Saval, and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian.
“The Port of Philadelphia is one of the most critical links in the country’s supply chain,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. “Its success is vital to the economic health of Pennsylvania, and its impacts ripple throughout the commonwealth. This investment will create jobs not only at the port, but also for workers who transport goods across the region and the country. Investing in our ports will ease the economic challenges Pennsylvania families are facing by making operations smoother, getting goods to people faster, and helping lower the costs of some of those everyday items families need."
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“PhilaPort is the fastest growing port in the United States, serving as a crucial point of connection between our country and the rest of the world, and providing our region with good, family-sustaining jobs,” Saval said. “This investment in PhilaPort will help solidify Pennsylvania’s preeminence along the Eastern Seaboard in ensuring the smooth transit of essential supplies.”
“I am proud to represent the Packer Ave Marine Terminal and so many of the workers who keep our port running," said Representative Elizabeth Fiedler. "As we continue to focus on infrastructure, we must invest in hubs like this port and the family-sustaining, union jobs they support.”
“The need to strengthen and invest in infrastructure at our ports and throughout the supply chain has been thrown into sharp focus in recent months,” Gramian said. “PennDOT is proud to support the Port of Philadelphia to help improve the port and improve connections with the rest of our transportation network.”
