JAXPORT CEO: Another major step forward

The following is a message from JAXPORT CEO Brian Taylor:

I am pleased to let you know the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening project has taken another major step toward final approval through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.Yesterday, the Corps’ Civil Works Review Board, made up of military and civilian leadership, approved the 47-foot deepening project after hearing presentations from members of the Corps’ Jacksonville District as well as our own JAXPORT team.We were also well represented at the Review Board hearing by our federal, state and local political and regional business leadership. We’re told this kind of showing is quite rare at these Corps reviews. Their unwavering support and personal investment of time and effort sent a strong, unified message about harbor deepening’s importance to North Florida’s citizens and our future economic vitality.Once our project is posted on the Federal Register—the U.S. government’s daily journal—there will be a 30-day review period for federal and state agencies. A final Chief of Engineers’ report from the Army Corps in Washington is expected to follow around the end of April, which will then allow Congress to authorize the project through the currently pending WRRDA legislation.While there are still many milestones and challenges to come, this forward movement is very good news. This project, combined with the elimination of the Mile Point restriction and the work now underway to build our ICTF, will in a few short years enhance our ability to be the first and last port of call for fully loaded container vessels. All of this adds to the transportation and logistics hub already thriving in Northeast Florida, creating jobs and the potential for positive exponential growth for those doing business through JAXPORT.We will update you regularly as we progress with these critically important initiatives.Thank you, as always, for your valued partnership as we continue the drive toward maximizing the use of this port’s assets and the shared successes that it will surely yield.Best Regards,Brian TaylorChief Executive OfficerJAXPORT

Photo credit: Jeff Price/JAXPORT