Port Tampa Bay to Receive $22 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to Improve Supply Chain Efficiencies
– Port Tampa Bay will receive $22 million in grant funding, from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the expansion of a berth and uplands area at East Port “Omniport”, one of Port Tampa Bay’s newest port complexes. The expansion will create a deep water berth capable of supporting a variety of cargoes.
The port’s funding allocation is part of $2.7 billion in grant funding made available through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program. The grant program provides funding for multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas.
Port Tampa Bay will use the INFRA funds to increase the existing Omniport facility from 18 acres with a 400-foot wharf, to roughly 27 acres with a 675-foot wharf capable of berthing vessels longer than 800-feet.
“The East Port Omniport project will have a generational impact on our community in terms of economic development. This specific project will create nearly 1,700 new jobs in the first year of operation, paying $143 million in personal income. Additionally, the project will pour nearly $100 million in business revenue, state and local taxes and local purchases,” explains Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay CEO & President. “Port Tampa Bay is proud of our role as an economic driver and the support we bring to the community in terms of job creation.”
Nearly 10 million people reside within 75 miles of our port and roughly 200,000 new residents have made their homes in Hillsborough County in the last decade. This project will support Florida’s booming construction industry and help the state become a leader in solar energy, while significantly reducing miles of unnecessary truck miles and related emissions. The expanded berth will service a variety of cargoes including, lumber, solar steel, bagged cement, bulk aggregates (used for road building and construction projects), and containerized cargoes like solar panels and batteries.
“Port Tampa Bay is an economic powerhouse for the local and regional economy,” said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. “As the region grows and demand for the port exceeds capacity, it’s critical we support the sustainable, equitable expansion of the port. With this expansion comes over 1,500 new good-paying jobs, which will generate tens of millions of dollars for businesses. This significant federal investment will help the Port grow to meet the region’s needs for the next generation.”
The East Port expansion is a pivotal $37 million project, with $22 million in funding provided through the federal INFRA grant program, and substantial additional investment from private sector partners. This strategic investment will significantly enhance the capabilities of one of Port Tampa Bay’s newest port complexes, positioning it to play a vital role in supporting regional and statewide supply chains.