FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Andrew L. Warren
Executive Director
PENJERDEL Council
(215) 972-0900

Joseph Menta
Director of Communications
Philadelphia Regional Port Authority
(215) 426-2600

LEADING TRI-STATE BUSINESS GROUP ENDORSES
DELAWARE RIVER CHANNEL DEEPENING PROJECT
Group cities Project's Job Creation and Economic Development Power

Philadelphia, April 6, 2009… The PENJERDEL Council, a leading business advocacy group for the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, has come out strongly in support of the Delaware River Channel Deepening Project, citing the project’s impact on job creation and overall economic development for the region. The Council’s “Resolution in Support of the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project” was unanimously adopted by the PENJERDEL Council Board of Directors at its March 12, 2009 meeting.

“PENJERDEL Council members believe if the tri-state regions is to remain competitive with other east coast ports it is imperative that our facilities and waterways accommodate and attract today’s modern large cargo vessels,” PENJERDEL Council Executive Director Andrew L. Warren wrote in a letter sent to area members of congress and other elected officials. “On behalf of hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women who are employed in tri-state port related industries, the PENJERDEL Council encourages your support of the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project.”

For the past 50 years, PENJERDEL has been an advocate of economic development projects that will attract and retain business in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and northern Delaware. They have been at the forefront of support for a number of important projects in the tri-state region that have had significant impacts on infrastructure, transportation, recreation and conservation.

The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority is the local sponsor of the deepening project. Las June, PRPA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers signed the Project Partnership Agreement to deepen the Delaware River’s main shipping channel to 45 feet. The project, which is estimated to cost about $277 million, will take five to seven years to complete.

By deepening the shipping channel to 45 feet, the Port of Philadelphia will be better positioned to accommodate the next generation of vessels that require deeper drafts. According to a study last year by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, the Port of Philadelphia’s competitive position is threatened without a deeper channel. The project will enable the port to attract new cargoes, especially from Asian shippers looking to expand into North American Markets. The channel deepening project is expected to create thousands of permanent family-sustaining jobs, where the annual average salary including benefits is $80,000.

“The PENJERDEL Council represents major business interests through the tri-state region, so this endorsement means so much to the PRPA and our allies.” said PRPA Chairman John H. Estey. “While the project has been repeatedly vetted and found to be economically sound and environmentally responsible, there’s nothing like independently-minded business people coming forward and saying that the channel deepening needs to get done. We’re honored and pleased to have our friends at the PENJERDEL council support us on this issue.”

Here is the complete text of the PENJERDEL Council’s resolution:
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE DELAWARE RIVER CHANNEL DEEPENING PROJECT

WHEREAS, the PENJERDEL COUNCIL is a regional business advocacy group, focusing on southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware;

WHEREAS, the PENJERDEL COUNCIL has as one of its core missions the attraction, development and improvement of business entities in the tri-state area, to facilitate the growth and prosperity not only of the business enterprises, but also of the workers and residents of the communities;

WHEREAS, the PENJERDEL COUNCIL recognizes the importance of the port entities in these three states as a vital economic engine with a potential for sustainable growth;

WHEREAS, the US Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, are positioned to undertake the deepening of the Delaware River and Bat from 40’ to 45’, thus enabling significant future growth for direct and indirect port businesses;

WHEREAS, the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project has been thoroughly vetted, and has been shown to be economically beneficial as well as environmentally sound;

WHEREAS, the PENJERDEL Council wishes to affirm its support of this project as a critical infrastructure improvement for the region;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

That the PENJERDEL Council strongly affirms its full unqualified support for the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project. Further, the Council calls upon the regions elected officials to act in an expeditious manner to bring this project to fruition. The Council further directs that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Governors of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the United States Senators of the three states, and the entire Congressional delegation of each state.

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Background:

PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL PORT AUTHORITY: The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) is an independent agency of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania charged with the management, maintenance, marketing, and promotion of publicly owned port facilities along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, as well as strategic planning throughout the port district. PRPA works with its terminal operators to modernize, expand, and improve its facilities, and to market those facilities to prospective port users. Port cargoes and the activities they generate are responsible for thousands of direct objectives and indirect jobs in the Philadelphia, area and throughout Pennsylvania.

THE PENJERDEL COUNCIL: For over half a century, the PENJERDEL COUNCIL has been one of the region’s key business advocacy groups, and has encouraged a regional focus on development throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware. PENJERDEL and its member businesses work to create a competitive environment that will attract and retain businesses and to solve problems that impede the tri-state region’s growth and prosperity. PENJERDEL also aims to enhance the region’s overall quality of life.

THE DELAWARE RIVER CHANNEL DEEPENING PROJECT: This vast public works initiative was conceived over 20 years ago when it became apparent that deeper water was critical to the future viability and prosperity of the Port of Philadelphia and other maritime interests along the Delaware River. The project aims to increase the depth of the Delaware River’s main channel from 40 to 45 feet, so that it may accommodate today’s larger cargo vessels. This project advanced a major step on June 23, 2009 when the Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) was signed by the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. PRPA and the Army Corps are optimistic about the long-awaited project finally commencing in late summer or early fall.

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