PortMiami is more than a backdrop for skyline photos or a headline in the evening news. It is a 520-acre engine that drives Miami-Dade’s economy, fuels our supply chain and connects us to the world. Every year, PortMiami supports more than 334,000 jobs statewide and generates more than 24 billion dollars in economic impact. It is one of the largest economic drivers in Florida and it deserves planning that matches its importance.
In recent weeks, the Board of County Commissioners has been grappling with the fuel crisis created when Miami-Dade failed to secure ownership of the Fisher Island fuel farm. That problem is real, but it also gives us a chance to do better. We can use this moment to modernize the port and bring it fully into the 21st century.
We all agree that energy independence is essential. Miami-Dade needs a long-term, predictable, and environmentally responsible fuel supply. Fisher Island does not meet those standards. The smart path forward is a secure, modern facility on PortMiami that reduces vulnerabilities, keeps critical operations running during storms and strengthens regional resilience…