Port Canaveral Gets $72.1 Million Federal Shot in the Arm to Compensate for COVID-19 Losses

By  //  July 29, 2021

PORT RECEIVES American Rescue Plan FUNDS

Port Canaveral CEO John Murray and Florida Secretary of Transportation Kevin Thibault hold the check for $72.21 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds to to assist in recovery from decreased revenue in 2020, and to invest in infrastructure at Florida’s ports. Murray said the funds are key to resuming capital projects that will ensure the growth of the port’s cruise and cargo business. (CPA image)

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that Port Canaveral will receive $72.21 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds to to assist in recovery from decreased revenue in 2020, and to invest in infrastructure at Florida’s ports.

Port Canaveral received the most of the total of $250 million in funding that has been set aside for Florida’s 14 ports, which generate an economic impact of $117.6 billion and support 900,000 jobs statewide.

This funding is specifically to support the financial recovery of Florida’s ports through the America Rescue Plan and the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund.

Florida Secretary of Transportation Kevin Thibault was on hand at Port Canaveral during the announcement at Cruise Terminal 3.

“The impact seaports have on every region in our state is enormous and, under the Governor’s leadership, the state continues to make key investments in our transportation network to keep our state moving forward and ensure that goods make it to consumers efficiently,” said Thibault.

“The funding announced today will have lasting positive impacts and significantly assist our seaport partners, as well as their surrounding communities.”

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Port Canaveral CEO John Murray said the funds are key to resuming capital projects that will ensure the growth of the port’s cruise and cargo business.

“Not only are Florida ports a key economic driver for their surrounding communities, but also for our state as a whole,” said DeSantis.

“From the cruise industry, to cargo, to supporting military operations, our ports provide nearly 1 million jobs for Floridians. This $250 million investment in our ports is a commitment to our future economic prosperity for generations to come.”

Port Canaveral received the most of the total of $250 million in funding that has been set aside for Florida’s 14 ports, which generate an economic impact of $117.6 billion and support 900,000 jobs statewide. (CPA image)

The $250 million in funding announced by Governor DeSantis was distributed to:

■ Port Canaveral: $72.2
■ Port Everglades: $58.2 million
■ JAXPORT: $13.7 million
■ Port Manatee: $4.9 million
■ Port of Miami: $66.9 million
■ Port of Fernandina: $806,772
■ Port of Fort Pierce: $806,772
■ Port of Key West: $5 million
■ Port of Palm Beach: $4 million
■ Port of Panama City: $806,772
■ Port of Pensacola: $806,772
■ Port of St. Joe: $806,772
■ Port St. Pete: $806,772
■ Port of Tampa Bay: $20.1 million

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