MIAMI – Miami-Dade County officials announced Monday that there are some new projects in the pipeline for Port Miami, which is a major economic engine in South Florida and is also the biggest money-maker in the entire state.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa and Mayor Carlos Gimenez on Monday stood proudly next to Port Miami employees, who they credit with helping the port grow.
"Right now, the Port of Miami is the leading economic generator, not only in Miami-Dade County, but also the largest economic generator in the state of Florida," Gimenez said.
The port now surpasses the airport in terms of revenue.
According to a new study commissioned by the port, at least 116,000 jobs have been added.
The port generated $12.8 billion in the last fiscal year, bringing the number to more than $41 billion in revenue. A record number of cruise passengers, more than 5 million, have also traveled through the port, a feat the mayor is proud of.
"We're very pleased with the growth here," Gimenez said. "That's the reason why we invested $1.3 billion into this port, dredging it, tunnel-connecting it to the interstate system and finally re-tying it back to the railroad."
Gimenez said there's more to come for the port.
"We expect more in terms of cargo and trade," Gimenez said. "We expect more in terms of our cruise passengers, we expect more logistics and warehousing opportunities and jobs to be on the mainland as we continue to grow this port."