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Port Idea Floated for Putnam County
Florida lawmakers could take initial steps toward establishing a port along the St. Johns River in inland Putnam County.
Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, filed a proposal (HB 907) on Monday that would give Putnam County until July 1, 2024, to apply for a grant through the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council to pay for a feasibility study about establishing a port.
Payne’s proposal would also give Putnam County a seat on the council, which is made up of port representatives from across the state.
The future of Putnam County’s membership on the council would be contingent on the results of the study.
The proposal is similar to a bill (SB 1038) filed in November by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville. Both proposals are filed for the legislative session that will start Jan. 11 and would take effect July 1 if approved.
Putnam County has a barge port and industrial-development area in Palatka that is about 60 miles from Jacksonville’s port.
The daily operations of the barge port are overseen by the county public-works office.
County officials are seeking to boost trade by increasing the depth of the water along the barge port.
In advertising a July 8 Barge Port Stakeholder meeting, the county noted it “has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the past few years in restoring navigable waters” to the barge port.
“This will enable our business community to utilize the port to import and export goods,” the notice said.
