Crist: Ports are missing the boat

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist says Florida is missing the boat when it comes to the competitive standing of its ports.

The governor and several legislators promoted bills Wednesday that would provide incentives for investments in Port Manatee and 13 other deepwater ports in the state.

The companion measures would provide tax incentives in return for $100 million worth of port improvements. The amount had been $500 million, but it was slashed Wednesday by a committee.

Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville, says that 50 percent of the goods that flow into Florida are brought in from out-of-state ports.

Crist says that every dollar invested in Florida’s ports would return $7 to the state’s economy.

The governor says it’s all about “jobs, jobs, jobs.”

Port Manatee officials praised both bills, saying they will help the broader economy in Manatee County.

“This is very good news for Port Manatee and very good news for Florida seaports as a whole,” said David McDonald, Port Manatee’s director.

One bill, HB 963, would shorten the permitting process at industrial sites that international companies could use to import and export through Florida ports. The bill also would require a statewide port board submit a list of production-ready projects to the Florida Department of Transportation to include in annual budget requests.

The other bill, HB 1169, would provide incentives for insurance companies to invest in Florida ports. It also would set up a $100 million investment pool for port-related projects.