Study Reveals Powerful Economic Impact From Detroit's Ports
DETROIT (WWJ) - A recent economic impact study by the maritime industry revealed significant contributions to the states and province surrounding the Great Lakes.
For example, the study found that in 2010, cargo and vessel activities in the Port of Detroit generated $289.7 million in state and federal taxes. In addition, $255.3 million in wages and salaries were paid to the Port of Detroit system's 5,622 employees handling cargo such as steel, iron ore, non-ferrous metals, petroleum, stone, cement and salt.
John Jamian, Executive Director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, said this is the first time a comprehensive review of port activities along the entire Great Lakes System has been done, adding the report shows the vital role the Port of Detroit in the region's growth.
The broad-sweeping study, which was performed in partnership with the Great Lakes-Seaway system stakeholders and the U.S. and Canadian governments, highlights excellent economic news about jobs and revenue generated by the Port of Detroit.
In 2010, firms that depend upon cargo handled at Port of Detroit marine terminals, along with the industries related to that cargo, contributed $6.4 billion to the national economy, according to the report, The Economic Impacts of the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway System.
The study, which was conducted by Martin Associates of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, found that the seaway system supported $14.1 billion in total personal wage and salary income and local consumption expenditures in the regional economies of the U.S. and Canada, according to the analysis of 32 Canadian and U.S. Great Lakes- Seaway system ports. It also revealed that the 92,923 direct jobholders received $4.4 billion in wage income.
"This unprecedented data shows the navigation community, transportation planners, government policy makers and the general public that The Great Lakes-Seaway system is working and is a tremendous asset and growth engine in our state, provincial, regional and national economies," Jamian said in a statement.
The system provides jobs on ships, in ports and within locks and supporting infrastructure. Jobs that ensure the safe and efficient transport of 322.1 million metric tons of cargo include stevedores, warehousemen, freight forwarders, dockworkers, crane operators, vessel agents, dredging contractors, marine pilots, truck drivers, vessel operators and shipyard workers.
"The Port of Detroit not only promotes commerce, it is an advocate of transportation and maritime issues in general, a steward over our Grea t Lakes and an economic development partner in our region's growth," Jamian said.
For example, in 2012, the Detroit Wayne County Port will host 14 Great Lakes cruise ship visits and 12 tall ships will also make their port of call at the Port's new public dock on Atwater.
In addition, the United States Navy will stage a five- day event at the Port Authority's new building while also docking two of their vessels at the Port in 2012.
Finally, the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority has been a leading partner in a variety of notable economic development projects in the region, through its bonding authority.
