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Florida economy powered by ports

By A TIMES EDITORIAL
Published April 16, 2007

Imagine life in Florida without its 14 seaports. Gasoline would be more expensive, if available at all. Building materials would be difficult to come by. Roads would be choked with trucks bringing in goods that otherwise would have been unloaded from ships. And new roads would be hard to build without concrete and asphalt arriving by sea. Meanwhile, someone would have to pick up the tax shortfall for nearly 15-million cruise passengers taking their business elsewhere.

In short, life without Florida's seaports would be inconvenient and much more expensive. It is time to recognize the vital role ports play in the state's economy and plan for a bigger role in the future.

The Legislature can start things off by quickly approving two port items. One (Senate Bill 432) would extend an existing bond issue by 10 years, providing about $60-million for port expansion and improvements. The other is a $50-million appropriation in the Senate's proposed budget for seaport projects. The ports would match both amounts with their own money.

This should be one of the easiest decisions lawmakers will make this year. For a relatively modest investment, they will help an industry that is responsible for 350,000 jobs and generates $1.3-billion in state and local tax revenues.

Admittedly, the state's ports have an identity problem. When you think of the Florida economy, the first things that come to mind are tourism, citrus and other agriculture, and construction. Yet none of those industries would prosper without our seaports. Many residents may have been unaware that Tampa Bay is home to two of the five busiest ports in the state (Tampa, which is No. 1 in tonnage shipped, and Manatee). Almost all of the gasoline consumed in the state comes in through Tampa or Port Everglades.

The future for ports could be even brighter. The Panama Canal is about to expand so that the largest container ships coming from the Pacific Rim will be able to sail through rather than stop at a West Coast port. Guess which U.S. seaports are closest to the eastern end of the canal? Hint: They're on Tampa Bay.

More products coming into Florida seaports would boost the economy, create jobs that pay better than average and increase tax receipts while reducing consumer costs on many products. Other Gulf Coast states recognize the opportunity, and that's why they are pouring money into their ports. It would be a shame if Florida missed out because it failed to recognize the value of its seaports.

[Last modified April 15, 2007, 21:14:37]