The “2025 State of the Port” address outlining major expansion projects for Jacksonville’s port showed substantial growth potential for the logistics and transportation hub.

Officials with JAXPORT, such as Eric Green, CEO of the government authority over the port, addressed a crowd of several hundred people Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, hosted by the Propeller Club of the United States.

“From the addition of new trade lanes to the completion of major growth projects, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformational year for JAXPORT,” said JAXPORT Chair Wendy Hamilton. “CEO Green has a clear vision for the continued growth and development of JAXPORT — strengthening the supply chain and creating an environment where the port’s customers and partners can thrive.”

According to JAXPORT officials, the seaport’s cargo activity accounted for more than 228,100 jobs along Florida’s First Coast region in 2024. Seaports along Northeast Florida’s coast also generated $44 billion in annual economic output.

Meanwhile, JAXPORT is adding new and modified service routes for shipping to increase access to more global markets. Green said careful growth is key to the continued growth.

Among planned growth is a $72-million expansion of a container terminal expected to be completed in the Spring. Another $70 million is being spent on adding new cranes that will arrive this year. And a private investment of $120 million will fund a 340,000-square-foot auto processing facility on Blount Island.

Jack Kiely of Hylant Marine on Jacksonville’s Southside and a client executive with the Propeller Club said the annual State of the Port address has become a must-attend for anyone in the maritime industry in Northeast Florida.

“It’s a large maritime industry, not only in Jacksonville but in the Southeast,” Kiely said. “It (JAXPORT) is one of the largest ports in all of the country. And we’re gaining more… . We’re really growing.”

Beyond the hard numbers and statistics, Kiely said the State of the Port event is a chance for industry insiders, who are usually spread throughout the region, to socialize and connect.

“It’s a good spot for everyone to come together and communicate and collaborate and try to see what we can do better,” Kiely said.

Green agreed.

“Our mission is to be an economic engine and job creator for the community,” she said. “We achieve this through strategic growth across our lines of business and major initiatives to expand our capabilities across our key cargo types – containers, autos and breakbulk. Public and private investments in our terminals ensure JAXPORT continues to generate business growth benefitting our region and state.”

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A new measure could launch a pilot program that would address the growing issue of gun violence.

The bill (HB 441) was filed by Gainesville Democratic Rep. Yvonne Hinson and outlines the creation of the Gun Violence Prevention Pilot Program which would be established in Gainesville if the bill is passed.

Legislative findings in the bill states that individuals under the age of 21 are disproportionately affected by gun violence.

Through the pilot program, these individuals would be provided with mental health services, and conflict resolution training, while community initiatives would play a further role in addressing gun violence.

The program would be developed and implemented by IMPACT GNV, a community-based engagement strategy used within Gainesville to address gun violence in the city.

IMPACT GNV would work alongside the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and other local officials — focusing on providing mental health services, intervention programs, and alternatives to incarceration.

The program targets youth at risk of becoming gun violence victims, becoming offenders, or who are returning from residential programs and are between age 10 and 21. Family members of those eligible would also be included.

While the program would provide access to substance abuse treatment, therapy, and trauma-based therapy, collaboration with local officials who offer educational and job training opportunities would further be available to participants.

The State Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, and the FDJJ would be responsible for referrals.

The City of Gainesville, in collaboration with Alachua County, would have to submit annual reports to IMPACT GNV and DJJ, which would include information on the number of participants within the pilot program; data on the impact of gun violence amongst youth; and the impact on the location served by the program.

Participants would have the opportunity to give their own feedback, and the reports must contain recommendations for improvement and expansion of services based on the results.

The bill further states to fund and implement the pilot program, $500,000 would need to be appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Children and Families for fiscal year 2025-26.

If passed, the program would take effect on July 1, 2025, and run for a total of five years before expiring on June 30, 2030.

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A bill aimed at saving thoroughbred horse racing in Florida and leveling the playing field for the parimutuel industry easily cleared its first committee Wednesday with a 12-4 vote. 

Rep. Adam Anderson’s measure (HB 105) cleared the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee easily, signaling that passage may ultimately be coming when Legislative Session begins next month. 

The bill would allow Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach to continue operating its on-site casino without a contingency that it also operate horse racing. The measure is meant to align thoroughbred tracks with other parimutuel facilities that were decoupled from ancillary activities under a 2021 law (SB 2A). 

Rep. Brad Yeager filed a strike-all amendment that would expand the legislation to cardroom license holders, a change that would affect Tampa Bay Downs. Currently, Gulfstream Park is one of two thoroughbred tracks in Florida, but the only with slots. Tampa Bay Downs has a card room, but no slots. 

Supporters of the legislation say it is necessary to level the playing field for horse race tracks, by giving them the option to maintain certain gambling activities even without live horse races. It would make each activity independent.

But the measure is not without opposition. Critics include the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the National Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association. They worry the measure would further degrade the horse-breeding industry and thoroughbred racing.

Horse racing is declining, but Gulfstream Park is still trying to preserve it as a significant industry. The park hopes to attract more attention to its racing activities by improving its facility and expanding its gaming beyond parimutuel, supporters argue. The decline is apparent through horse breeding statistics. In 2002, about 4,500 foals were bred. By last year, that number had dropped to just 1,000.

The breeding association collects a percentage of revenue from every race conducted at the parks, even if a Florida horse isn’t in the race.

Anderson’s legislation heads next to its second committee, the House Commerce Committee. The Senate companion (SB 408) by Republican Sen. Danny Burgess has not yet been assigned to committee. 

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