During the week of June 25, the city of Pensacola hosted a number of meetings to gauge public opinion on the priorities of the Port of Pensacola as part of an effort to craft a strategic plan for how the port lands should evolve over the coming decades.
The city invited residents to participate in a conversation about its “Portside Vision and Reinvestment Strategy” in a press release issued on June 11. Pensacola’s 50-acre Port has been a significant contributor to our economy for centuries, but the city enterprise has hit hard times over the past three years.
The meetings are designed to allow the public to talk with the project team about priorities for the port and hear their presentation. A second meeting will be scheduled for late July or early August.
John Davis, Business Advisor with Florida Makes and NWFMC member, attended the first meeting held on June 26 at City Hall in downtown Pensacola. “The meeting was informative and well-attended by local residents, business owners, and various interested parties. It is important for the members of the NWFMC and other regional manufacturing companies to be represented during these discussions. Any future changes to the Port of Pensacola could have an impact on our manufacturing community. Participating in the process will help our manufacturing community stay informed and possibly influence the overall outcome.”
Over the next four months, consultants with the firm will look at priorities for the port and develop a plan. A timeline for the project has the final plan going before the Pensacola City Council in October.