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TRANSFORMING FLORIDA'S TRADE PRESENCE AND IMPACTS TO NORTHERN PALM BEACH COUNTY

The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly Breakfast on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 7:15 a.m. at Palm Beach Gardens Marriott.

In April 2012, the Governor and State Legislature passed a bill that would get Florida on the path to global competitiveness for trade.  This great opportunity was identified by the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation through its Trade and Logistics Studies 1.0 and 2.0 and is widely supported among the business community statewide due to significant economic impacts to statewide and local economies.

The Florida Department of Transportation took the lead on this initiative and, through the involvement of many stakeholders, has developed and is implementing Florida?s Freight Mobility Plan designed to have significant economic impacts through the use of Florida?s seaports, airports, rail and roadways.  Richard Biter, Assistant Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, has led this effort to transform Florida?s trade presence.  He will provide an overview of Florida?s strategic direction, as well as the importance of the multiple modes of transportation including our ports.

Northern Palm Beach County is fortunate to have the Port of Palm Beach as a significant resource that helps make this vision a reality.  The expansion of the Panama Canal creates additional opportunities for enhanced import/export with each Florida port having its own niche.  Florida leaders have also placed an emphasis on the growth of manufacturing and distribution facilities to grow exports with incentives that will lead to filling the excess capacity on ships leaving Florida?s ports.  Manuel Almira, Executive Director of the Port of Palm Beach, will provide an overview of our port and its importance to our local and statewide economy.

You will not want to miss this informative program to learn what these plans may mean for you, your business and our economy.