today, Governor Tom Wolfe and U.S. Senator Bob Casey traveled to the Port of Philadelphia to celebrate a $20.3 million federal grant to build a new 100,000-square-foot warehouse at the Tioga Marine Terminal.
“The port is an economic engine not only for the Philadelphia area, but for the state of Pennsylvania as a whole,” said Gov. Wolfe. “This is a major hub for global trade and a vital link in the chain of supplies for the goods Pennsylvanians use every day.
“Investing in stronger ports is investing in better infrastructure, a stronger economy, and the long-term stability of Pennsylvania. That is why it is so important to have leaders like lawmakers in Congress.
“It’s also why I’m proud that my administration invested more than $539 million in the Port of Philadelphia.”
This significant amount of funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2022 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program will help the port meet growing demand and attract more business. The project was developed in a joint planning effort between the facility’s terminal operators, Delaware River Stevedores and PhilaPort.
“The Port of Philadelphia is a critical link in our nation’s supply chain. By moving commerce through the region, these waterways create and sustain high-paying union jobs and drive economic growth.” said Senator Casey. “The Infrastructure Act has already invested tens of millions of dollars in PhilaPort, including much of this $20 million grant to Tioga Marine Terminal, and this is just the beginning. Democrats in Congress will continue to serve the economy of Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania.”
PhilaPort Executive Director and CEO Jeff Theobald said: “We get phone calls every day from shippers looking for dry storage. The construction of his new 100,000 square foot warehouse will give him the ability to attract new business, thus keeping families in the area. Additional jobs will be created.”
Governor Wolfe has invested more than $539 million in the Port of Philadelphia.
In 2015, Governor Wolf announced a port development plan to redevelop underutilized areas of the Port of Philadelphia by investing in the Port’s infrastructure, warehouses and equipment. In 2016, Wolf Administration put the redevelopment plan on the fast track to success by investing his $293 million in the port.
In 2022, Gov. Wolf announced an additional $246 million in state investment in the Port of Philadelphia to continue modernization efforts and improve the region’s economic stability.
Governor Wolfe’s investment in the port has enabled major infrastructure upgrades, including:
Since implementing the governor’s infrastructure improvement plan, Filaport has delivered record-breaking freight volumes, container growth has reached nearly 60%, and thousands of new jobs have been created. Federal and state investments have also brought renewed international attention to Philaport, making the port a major player in global trade.
In August 2022, Wan Hai Lines completed its first port call to Philadelphia, dramatically expanding trade between Pennsylvania and Asia. Wan Hai Lines, Ltd. provides weekly container service from Philadelphia to Asian markets in China, Taiwan and Vietnam. This will be the first time Philadelphia will offer weekly non-stop flights to this cosmopolitan region and its rapidly growing economy.
“Philaport is now one of the fastest growing ports in the United States,” said Gov. Wolfe. “If the port succeeds, all of Pennsylvania will benefit from economic growth, more jobs and a stronger supply chain of the goods we all rely on every day.”
Governor Wolf has served two terms as a consistent leader for the people of Pennsylvania. Learn more about how his Pennsylvania priorities spurred a federal revival and left Pennsylvania in a much better place than when he arrived.
