Port Manatee to Receive Funding for State for Commerce Center

BRADENTON -- The Port Manatee Commerce Center project will benefit from a $175,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. Governor Rick Scott announced the award in a press release, saying he was "committed to ensuring that our transportation projects create more jobs for Florida families."

The PMCC is prepared to construct a parallel 450 linear feet rail spur and construct a new 14,000 sq. ft. loading ramp to expand existing bulk carrier new intermodal services at an operating Intermodal Logistics Center.

"This investment of $175,000 for Port Manatee will enhance port infrastructure and create more opportunities for families in the region,” continued Scott.

The investment is among the first four grants for the Intermodal Logistics Center (ILC) Infrastructure Support Program. The program provides an annual allocation of $5,000,000 with a 50 percent matching fund requirement from applicants.

Port Manatee Commerce Center Operations Manager Kevin Button said, “It is an honor to be recognized as a recipient for the Intermodal Logistics Center Infrastructure Support Program matching funds grant. We are pleased Governor Scott and FDOT included small businesses in this initiative and recognize it is small businesses which drive local job creation.”

FDOT selected four projects to fund from a total of eight applications received in the FY 2012/2013 funding cycle. The other three selected projects include Keystone ILC Terminal (Jacksonville), South Florida Logistics Center (Miami), and Port of Panama City Intermodal Distribution Center (Panama City). All four selected projects support and create a total of 1,213 direct and indirect jobs.