Port of Gulfport Signs on New Tenant: Topship
The port purchased the land and signed a 40 year lease with a new tenant, Topship, llc. Jonathan Daniels, Executive Director and C.E.O. of the Mississippi Port Authority, says, "Very unique company in the oil and gas construction services for oil and gas industry, so it really came together for us very well. It’s a large enough property that allows us the opportunity to lease to property to Topship, at the same time be able to utilize that for some of our inland port activities."
The 116 acre location will increase capacity for the port, offering an additional storage space, easier railroad access, and barge connections for current and future tenants. While the Steps Coalition says this is a positive move forward, they’re still asking one question: where are the jobs? Howard Page, Community Organizer for the Steps Coalition, says, "HUD wants information from the port that describes what is the plan for creating jobs. HUD is very concerned that this money is being spent and jobs are not being created."
As of January, only 92 of the 1,300 promised jobs have been created. The Port Authority says that number has now increased to about 800, but now with new tenant, Topship, the Port Authority is confident that number will continue to increase and more jobs will be created. Daniels also says, "The property itself and the facilities that are out there are so flexible in providing so many options, they’re trying to decide exactly what they’re going to do first so they will be phasing the jobs in, but certainly we’re expecting a significant number out there."
The Port Authority says dredging should be wrapping up within the next week or two, just in time for McDermott’s first vessel to arrive on Monday.
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