|
Governor Rendell Named 'Man of the Year'
|
Achievement Emphasizes Governor's Commitment to Increasing Port of
Philadelphia's Potential
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell tonight received the World Trade Association's "man of the year"
award for his strong support of a project that will deepen the Delaware
River for the Port of Philadelphia.
"Pennsylvania has the 17th largest economy in the world. We have made
tremendous progress in our global market ranking, but we need to do more,"
Governor Rendell said. "This honor highlights the importance of our ongoing
efforts to strengthen Pennsylvania's status as an economic development
leader throughout the world."
The World Trade Association of Philadelphia is a non-profit
organization founded in 1931 and is dedicated to increasing the region's
trade in the global marketplace. Members of the organization are shippers,
manufacturers, steamship lines, trucking companies, terminal operators,
warehouse, companies and others who are united in their desire to do
international business.
The annual "man of the year" award goes to the person or organization
that has made a significant impact on operations at the Port of
Philadelphia.
"The Delaware River dredging project is the most significant
improvement in the Port of Philadelphia's 300-year history," the Governor
said. "Increasing the depth of the river's main shipping channel from 40 to
45 feet will help existing companies and attract new ones. This project
will enhance our presence internationally, while creating more
opportunities for our hardworking men and women of Pennsylvania."
The commonwealth will partner with the Philadelphia Regional Port
Authority and its terminal operators to upgrade and expand existing
facilities. It will also work to attract long-term private investment to
develop the port and allow it to compete on the world stage.
Pennsylvania has an agreement with New Jersey to put all of the dredged
river material into landfills. The material will also be reused for the
Southport project -- which will expand the Port Authority's existing Packer
Avenue Marine Terminal facility -- and it will be used for mine
reclamation.
Governor Rendell has long supported increasing the commonwealth's
impact in the global market, launching World Trade PA in 2006 to boost
Pennsylvania's trade and investment activities. Many World Trade PA
programs are overseen by the Department of Community and Economic
Development's Office of International Business Development.
The Office of International Business Development has nearly doubled the
number of foreign trade and direct investment offices around the world,
created the country's first virtual trade advisor to help those reading
complex trade flow reports, implemented the "Go Global" program to provide
grant funding to organizations that teach how to promote Pennsylvania
exports and penetrate foreign markets, and created the Global Alumni
Network to use the resources of Pennsylvania's foreign-based alumni to show
international companies the benefits of doing business in the commonwealth.
"We've worked hard the past four years to provide critical resources to
global companies like Sanofi Pasteur, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Osstem and
Gamesa to set up or expand their operations in Pennsylvania," Governor
Rendell said. "My administration is committed to helping businesses and
entrepreneurs get the tools they need to do business in the commonwealth."
For more information on World Trade PA and other funding sources
available through DCED, please visit http://www.NewPA.com or call
1-866-466-3972.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
Copyright © 2005-2007 Diverse News and Diversenews.org All rights reserved