The Canaveral Port Authority has been awarded an $8.245 million grant from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for a roadway improvement project to support the port's growth and expansion in cruise and cargo business. Florida Governor Rick Scott announced the grant award to Port Canaveral at an event held in Jacksonville on Tuesday.

 

Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 at a special meeting this morning to authorize the port to accept the award and enter into an agreement with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).

 

"We appreciate Governor Scott’s continued commitment to Florida’s ports and are grateful for this Florida Job Growth Grant Fund investment in our area," said Port CEO Captain John Murray.  "Port Canaveral is a world-class strategic gateway for Central Florida and a 21st century economic driver for the region. These roadway improvements will help us to continue to contribute to the vitality of our growing economy." 

 

The state grant will support a $12 million port roadway project to improve access to cruise and cargo terminals.  Project plans include increasing roadway capacity for the Port's north side cargo roads, new intersection signals for public safety and cargo traffic control, and revisions to the existing north side cruise roadway network to relieve congestion and improve cruise operations. The project also includes new port-wide wayfinding signage to improve safety and adaptability for all population in the area.

 

Port Canaveral was one of nine awards totaling $35 million in funding announced by the Governor yesterday.  More than 225 Florida Job Growth Grant Fund proposals requesting more than $821 million in funding were submitted to Florida DEO.