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approval form Congress for this deepening project and because the expansion of this facility is of regional benefit the St. Lucie County Economic Development Council Board of Directors have asked me to seek the cooperation in this matter of our sister organizations in Indian River and Martin _ Counties. This memorandum will outline the current status of the project, the benefits of project, the current problem and a request for your support. In 1986 as one of his last acts as the Governor of the State of Florida, Bob Graham gave the official Florida approval of the port deepening project. In 1988 Congress authorized the port project thereby making it eligible for federal monies. In 1989 Congress failed to appropriate monies for the budget. Currently, the House of Representatives passed the port project in its public works/water resources appropriations bill. However, the U.S. Senate failed to do the same. Because of this, funding for the project is in question. It is hoped that the conference committee between the Houses will come up with a bill which will include this project. Unfortunately, Florida has no representation on the conference committee. The problem remains with the need for active support from Florida's Senators Graham and Mack. Congressman Tom Lewis.has been very active in his efforts and remains on top of this project from the House of Representatives side. The benefits of this project include lower transportation costs for Treasure Coast manufacturers, the creation of 550 jobs in the Port of Ft. Pierce (including 490 for the movement of cargo and. 60 for the service of a cruise line), the creation of 100+ manufacturing jobs in the Port of Ft. Pierce, and the addition of recreational opportunities such as a cruise line. 1 Again, on behalf of the EDC, we respectfully request of your organization its active support for the port deepening project. We ask that this support be in the form of letters and personal contact of Senators Graham and Mack asking for active support of this project. Again, we appreciate your efforts to help us with making these improvement. We honestly believe ' these improvements will benefit the entire Treasure Coast. i' 2200 YrgiNa Avenue, Fort Pierce, %7orida 34982 (407) 461.2713 Commissioner Bowman didn't feel we should take a position on this, and Commissioner Wheeler agreed we need to know more about it. ON MOTION by Commissioner Scurlock, SECONDED by Commissioner Bowman, the Board unanimously delayed taking action on this matter until more information is available. TENTATIVE JOINT MEETING WITH SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL Chairman Eggert advised that the Sebastian City Council has expressed a desire to hold a joint meeting with the County Commission. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to hold a 62 '`�