Why do I pay Port taxes? It’s a great question, and one we’re asked frequently. Combined with operating profits and grants, your tax dollars are directly invested in the infrastructure that creates economic prosperity within our community.

As a publicly–owned entity, you own more than 830 acres of land, docks, buildings and equipment requiring maintenance and expansion to meet business and cargo handling demands.  Managing these assets is a monumental task, which pays dividends in the form of jobs, revenue to local business and taxes generated for public services.

For example, the Port is in the middle of a $3 million-dollar, multi-year project to expand the dock containment area at berths 6 and 7. By doubling the area in which the Port can contain and treat water runoff from cargo operations, we can more efficiently and cost effectively meet growing environmental requirements and customer needs. Speed and savings are important to prospective customers who are choosing among multiple ports to ship their cargo through. 

Over the last several years the Port’s Board of Commissioners has significantly reduced tax collection – by nearly 50%. While the Port does collect just over $2 million in taxes, that investment generates $5.2 million back for schools, roads and public services, 1 in 10 local jobs and $444 million for local businesses. 

Your investment in infrastructure, like increasing containment, means your Port can handle a wider variety of cargoes. It means attracting more economic benefits that strengthens our local economy and our community.