MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted Florida’s top-ranked economy while announcing a $2 million investment in Seaport Manatee to support infrastructure improvements and job creation in Southwest Florida on Friday morning.
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Speaking at a podium with a sign reading “Infrastructure and Workforce,” DeSantis said Florida has the No. 1 economy in the nation and the lowest per capita debt.
He also noted that the state, which recently marked its 180th anniversary, has ranked first in education by U.S. News & World Report for the past two years.
Seaport Manatee, the closest deep-water port to the Panama Canal, generated 42,000 jobs and billions in revenue since 2023, DeSantis said. He praised the port’s role in hurricane recovery, saying it remained operational while other ports shut down.
DeSantis granted $2 million to the Manatee County Port Authority which he said will help expand business operations and create about 300 new jobs.
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue credited DeSantis for prioritizing infrastructure.
“No governor has done more for infrastructure than Gov. DeSantis,” Perdue said.
The investment includes a facility to produce de-icing salt, which Perdue said is necessary given Florida’s occasional snow events.
Florida’s 16 seaports contribute $195 billion to the state’s economy, Purdue said, adding, “We’re excited to keep making investments, and Seaport Manatee’s vision is creating growth in the economy in Southwest Florida.”
DeSantis also called for a statewide law enforcement effort to assist with immigration enforcement.
Florida has the most law enforcement agencies in the country participating in the 287G agreements, with sheriffs in all 67 counties signed on.
In the past week, several cities, including Davie, Sunny Isles, Key West, Palm Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables and Palm Beach Gardens, have also entered into similar agreements.
The 287G agreements are designed to give trained local law enforcement agencies the tools they need to assist with federal immigration enforcement.
Local 10 News viewers can watch the news conference in the video below.
