Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf today [Friday, Feb. 4] announced a $246 million state investment into the Port of Philadelphia to continue modernization efforts and improve regional economic stability. This funding builds upon the governor’s comprehensive $300 million Capital Investment Program at the Port of Philadelphia announced in 2016.

“The port is an economic driver, not only in Philadelphia, but across the commonwealth,” Wolf said. “The port supports jobs, encourages trade, and builds connections that help businesses and communities across Pennsylvania thrive. This new $246 million investment will help the port build on its success over the past few years and will help Pennsylvania build on our commonwealth’s economic success and job growth, too.”

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf

In 2016, Governor Wolf announced his Port Development Plan to redevelop underutilized areas of the Port of Philadelphia by investing more than $300 million in the port’s infrastructure, warehousing and equipment. Critical infrastructure investments included the purchase and implementation of three new super-post-Panamax cranes at the Packer Avenue Marine terminal, the building of two new state-of-the-art warehouses, and the development of the Southport Auto Terminal, the first new port terminal in more than 45 years. Since implementing the infrastructure improvement plan, the port has realized record-breaking cargo volumes, nearly 60 percent container growth, and created thousands of new jobs.

Among those joining the governor at the Port of Philadelphia for the announcement were the Port of Philadelphia Board Chairman Jerry Sweeney, ​state Sen.Nikil Saval and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian.

“In the history of the Port of Philadelphia, there has been no greater ally than Gov. Tom Wolf in terms of capital investment, vision and consistent support,” Sweeney said. “Our dramatic cargo and jobs growth are a direct result of his leadership.”