Posted on May 31, 2020
Leadership from JAXPORT, U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Area Port of Jacksonville, and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville joined U.S. Congressman John Rutherford in welcoming Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf to JAXPORT this week.
The visit included an update on JAXPORT’s major growth projects, including the Harbor Deepening Project which remains two years ahead of its original schedule due in large part to support from the federal government, and a briefing on how the port has continued to safely operate and remain open for business during COVID-19.
“Getting the economy opened back up safely is a top priority for Homeland Security and JAXPORT really personifies that,” said Secretary Wolf. “Jacksonville’s port has remained open throughout the pandemic and plays an important role in our country’s economic recovery and national security.”
“We are grateful for the continued support of our federal partners as we work to keep cargo moving and people working,” said JAXPORT CEO Eric Green. “When the economy picks back up, our strategic location and diversification of business puts us in a very favorable position to grow our cargo volumes and their economic impact for Northeast Florida.”
Cargo activity through Jacksonville’s seaport generates 138,000 jobs in Florida and $31 billion in economic output for the region and state. As one of the nation’s 17 Strategic Seaports, JAXPORT is on-call 24/7 to move U.S. Military cargo for national defense, disaster relief and foreign humanitarian aid, and is the only port in Florida with this designation.
Source: ajot
