Gov. Tom Wolf said his administration will invest an additional $246 million into the Port of Philadelphia, creating thousands of jobs.
On Friday, Wolf said the state would add to the investment into the modernization efforts into the port, a move it says will create more jobs and improve the region’s economic stability. The additional funds add to Wolf’s comprehensive $300 million Capital Investment Program at the Port of Philadelphia announced in 2016.
“The port is an economic driver, not only in Philadelphia but across the commonwealth,” Wolf said. “The port supports jobs, encourages trade, and builds connections that help businesses and communities across Pennsylvania thrive. This new $246 million investment will help the port build on its success over the past few years and will help Pennsylvania build on our commonwealth’s economic success and job growth, too.”
The Port Development Plan announced in 2016 aimed to redevelop underutilized areas of the Port of Philadelphia by investing in the port’s infrastructure, warehousing, and equipment. The investments included the purchase and implementation of three super post-Panamax cranes at the Packer Avenue Marine terminal, two state-of-the-art warehouses, and the development of the Southport Auto Terminal. Since implementing the infrastructure improvement plan, the port has created thousands of new jobs and realized record-breaking cargo volumes.
“The Port of Philadelphia is one of the most critical links in the country’s supply chain,” said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA). “Its success is vital to the economic health of Pennsylvania, and its impacts ripple throughout the commonwealth. This investment will create jobs not only at the port but also for workers who transport goods across the region and the country. Investing in our ports will ease the economic challenges Pennsylvania families are facing by making operations smoother, getting goods to people faster, and helping lower the costs of some of those everyday items families need. I was proud to join Governor Wolf today to make this announcement and grateful that his administration has made PhilaPort a top priority during his time in office. We will continue to work to bring infrastructure investments to the Port of Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania.”
The investment would help Pennsylvania families by creating jobs, officials said.
“The Port of Philadelphia is the fastest growing port in the United States,” said State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-184th). “I am proud to represent the Packer Ave Marine Terminal and so many of the workers who keep our port running. As we continue to focus on infrastructure, we must invest in hubs like this port and the family-sustaining, union jobs they support.”