Each of these companies employ hundreds
Based on past experience with the large
and the port management understand the
of people and inject millions of dollars
manufacturers who have settled in Bay
value of this support and work hard to earn
into the local economy every year. These
County, manufacturing companies are
it year after year.
companies need to have confidence in the
likely to invest tens of millions in plant and
Port’s ability to provide them with the facili-
equipment and provide good permanent
ties and services they need today and in the
jobs over many years. There is an emerg-
future. The Port Authority is committed to
ing consensus that American companies
the kind of steady responsible growth and
should bring their manufacturing plants
improvements that gives these companies the confidence to rely on the Port as they make their long-term investment decisions. The Port Authority is also making the needed investments to attract new industry to Bay County. In addition to constructing the distribution warehouses at the Port’s IDC, the Port Authority has partnered with the City, the Bay County Chamber, the EDA and Gulf Power to develop attractive “shovel-ready” certified industrial sites.
back to the U.S. This trend, combined with the growing U.S. - Mexico trade and the general benefits of locating new plants in the Southeastern United States, bodes well for bringing new manufacturing jobs to Bay County.
Community Support and Dedicated Employees The Port Authority’s commitment to growing our Port, promoting trade, and support-
These sites are essential to the communi-
ing industrial development seems to be the
ty’s efforts to attract new industry to Bay
right formula for our region. However, the
County. It is impossible to know when
Port can only succeed if it has the broad
another manufacturing company will build
support of the community. Fortunately,
a new plant in Bay County. However, the
the Port has consistently had support from
availability of these attractive industrial
local government, our congressional rep-
sites at the IDC “sets the table” for such a
resentatives, and from the community at
development.
large. The Port Authority board members
The Port also depends on the ongoing dedication and commitment of its employees. These men and women work hard every day to provide the Port’s tenants and shippers with the highest possible level of services. The success of the Port is a testament to their hard work and commitment. The Port’s employees and the other men and women who work on the port really are essential workers and make a big contribution to the community. Port Panama City, USA belongs to the community and is here to serve the community. With the right focus, with community support, and dedicated employees, the Port Panama City, USA expects to keep growing. With this growth, the Port will continue to produce significant economic benefits for Bay County and all of Northwest Florida.
BAY B I Z / S U M M E R 2020
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