Port Canaveral Activity Generates $649m in Wages

Business activity at Port Canaveral in 2009 generated 13,093 jobs, $648.8m in wages, and $1.1b in revenue, according to the newly released economic impact analysis of cruise, cargo, real estate and marina activity during 2009. The Canaveral Port Authority commissioned leading industry consulting firm Martin Associates of Lancaster, Pa. to conduct the economic impact study. The figures last were updated in 2006.

The analysis, which took place during the first quarter of 2010, primarily was based on 233 interviews with firms providing services in the four business sectors and 900 individual surveys of cruise ship passengers and crew. The amount of state and local taxes generated from the activities was $48m. By 2012, Port activity is expected to generate 16,367 jobs.

“The findings confirm that our regional economy continues to benefit from the jobs created, wages paid, and taxes generated from the activity at Port Canaveral,” said J. Stanley “Stan” Payne, CEO, Port Canaveral. “With two more 4,000-passenger cruise ships committed during the next two years during which time the new tank farm will be in full operation, the impact of Port Canaveral will continue to increase in significance for Central Florida at a time when job creation is vital to our region.”