On Feb. 4, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced that his administration would be investing $246 million to further develop the state's successful Port of Philadelphia and in turn improve economic stability in the region.
The $246 million investment continues the momentum Wolf has cultivated for the port. It started in 2016 when Wolf invested $300 million in expansions to the port. Under his tenure, the Port of Philadelphia saw its first new port terminal in over 45 years. Wolf's development of the Port of Philadelphia has led to nearly 60% growth in container volume as well as the creation of thousands of jobs.
"The port is an economic driver, not only in Philadelphia, but across the commonwealth," Wolf said in a recent release on his office's website. "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."
This announcement comes shortly after the Port of Philadelphia revealed that 2021 was a record-breaking year of growth.
"The Port of Philadelphia is the fastest growing port in the United States," Pennsylvania State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler said in the release. "I am proud to represent the Packer Ave Marine Terminal and so many of the workers who keep our port running. As we continue to focus on infrastructure, we must invest in hubs like this port and the family-sustaining union jobs they support. Thank you to Gov. Wolf for echoing the importance of state and federal investment in Philadelphia's Port, for workers and their families."
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey hopes that the port will be able to ease the economic hardships that many Pennsylvanians currently find themselves going through.