Port Manatee awarded $813,000 in federal money for security improvements
Fast-growing Port Manatee has been awarded an $813,090 federal grant for security-related enhancements.
Since 2005, Port Manatee has received more than $13 million in federal grant support for security initiatives, according to David St. Pierre, the port’s director of public safety and security.
“Port Manatee is grateful to FEMA for the significant grant funding, which over the years has been critical in facilitating leading-edge safety and security throughout port land and neighboring waters,” St. Pierre said in a press release. “The most recent award, for 100 percent of the amount requested by Port Manatee, will be used to complete four vital endeavors.”
Those include:
▪ Updating and expanding the port’s video security and surveillance system.
▪ Replacing about 2 1/2 miles of outdated fencing to bolster security along the port’s north perimeter.
▪ Procuring upgraded radio communications equipment, making it compatible with the recently enhanced Manatee County emergency response system.
▪ Replacing the engine of the port’s shallow-water response vessel for security enforcement, including in areas inhabited by sea grasses.
The port is required to provide a 25 percent local match of $271,030.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, announced the grant Wednesday on social media.
The port’s security needs continue to grow as it accommodates rising cargo volumes. In its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, Port Manatee broke several records, including eclipsing 10 million tons of total cargo throughput for the first time in its 50-year history, said Carlos Buqueras, Port Manatee’s executive director.
“We’re greatly appreciative of the federal support for our efforts to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness and improve port-wide maritime security risk management at our fast-growing seaport,” Buqueras said.
Priscilla Whisenant Trace, chairwoman of the Manatee County Port Authority, said the grant award is integral to to protect the people who work at the port and the assets of the port and its users, as well as the integrity of the overall supply chain.
In August of 2019, the port authority approved a $33 million capital improvement plan for 2019-2020.
The biggest ticket item is $15.1 million for extension of berth four to allow two vessels to utilize berths four and five. The forecast completion date is February 2024.
The current capital improvement plan also calls for $7.7 million for expansion of the intermodal container yard, $4 million for port road improvements, $2.9 million for rehabilitation of berths six, seven and nine, $1.2 million for expansion of the north gate, $1.1 million for the addition of six loading docks, and more.
At the same 2019 meeting when the 2019-2020 capital improvement plan was approved, port officials said It may cost as much as $127 million over the next five years, and $500 million over the next 20 years, to build the facilities to keep up with growth at Port Manatee.
It is estimated that Port Manatee generates more than $3.9 billion in annual economic impact while providing for more than 27,000 direct and indirect jobs, without benefit of local property tax support.
