Philly Leader

The Wolf administration has made it a priority to put funds into the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort), and most recently $20.3 million in federal grant money was used to build a 100,000-square-foot warehouse at Tioga Marine Terminal.

The governor and Sen. Bob Casey were at PhilaPort to highlight the project, a recent press release from Wolf’s office said. The governor has invested more than $539 million in the port in total. This year, Wolf announce that $246 million in state investments would go to PhilaPort for modernization and efforts to improve the economic stability of the region.

“With this grant PhilaPort is able to meet the demands of the current market and add much needed capacity in the warehouse space,” Jeff Theobald, PhilaPort executive director and CEO, said in the release. “We receive calls daily from shippers looking for dry storage. With the construction of a new 100,000 square-foot warehouse, we will have the ability to attract new business, that will result in the creation of additional family sustaining jobs for the region.”

Funding from the Department of Transportation 2022 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program is designed to attract business and meet a growing demand. This is a planning effort between PhilaPort, Delaware River Stevedores and the terminal operator of the facility.

“The Port of Philadelphia is a critical link in our Nation’s supply chains—by moving commerce through this region, these waterways create and sustain good-paying union jobs and spur economic growth,” Casey said in the release. “The infrastructure law has already invested tens of millions of dollars in PhilaPort, including much of this $20 million grant for Tioga Marine Terminal, and this is just the beginning. The Biden Administration and Democrats in Congress are going to keep delivering for Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania’s economy.” 

The investments of the Wolf administration have led to the installation of three new super post-Panamax cranes at the Packer Avenue Marine terminal, building two new warehouses and developing the Southport Auto Terminal, which is the first new port terminal in 45 years. 

“The port is an economic powerhouse not just for the Philadelphia region, but for all of Pennsylvania,” Wolf said in the release. “This is a major hub for global trade, and a crucial link in the supply chain for the goods that Pennsylvanians use every single day. An investment in a stronger port is an investment in better infrastructure, a stronger economy, and long-term stability for Pennsylvania. This is why it’s so important for us to have leaders in Congress like Senator Casey, who are willing to fight for Pennsylvania jobs and Pennsylvania infrastructure.”

Since Wolf has been investing in the infrastructure, there has been approximately 60% in container growth, and thousands of jobs have been created. PhilaPort has also become a hub for global trade. In August, Wan Hai Lines had its maiden call to Philadelphia, which expanded trade between the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Asian markets in China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

“Philaport is now one of the fastest growing ports in the United States,” Wolf said. “And when the port succeeds, all of Pennsylvania benefits – from economic growth, more jobs and stronger supply chains for the goods we all rely on every day.”