Port Commends Historic State Investment in Goods Movement

Port and City of Long Beach officials today applauded the approval and signing of the state of California’s 2023 budget, which will bring crucial state funding to the nation’s largest port complex, including $110 million for a planned goods movement workforce training campus to enhance safety and efficiency of cargo operations in the harbor.

Statewide the budget includes $2.3 billion for goods movement and supply chain projects such as the replacement of older trucks with cleaner models, investments in zero-emissions terminal equipment and “high-priority” capital improvements in ports.

During Gov. Gavin Newsom’s visit in 2021, the Port of Long Beach discussed its plans to invest more than $2.6 billion in infrastructure projects over the next decade. In January, the Port welcomed the funding when the governor unveiled these items as part of his proposed state budget. The budget has now been formally adopted.

“We’re glad to see this funding for ports and infrastructure from Governor Newsom and the state Legislature,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This budget will strengthen our supply chain — but it also represents a huge investment in sustainability, emissions reduction and the health of our communities here in Long Beach.”

“We thank the governor and state Legislature for their foresight and responsiveness in including supply chain needs in the budget,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “These investments in a vital economic engine will enhance the efficiency and sustainability of cargo movement and help fund important port projects such as the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility and the Supply Chain Information Highway.”

“We appreciate that the governor and Legislature have made the supply chain a priority in the annual budget, and we look forward to working closely with state leaders to carry out these projects,” said Steven Neal, Board of Harbor Commissioners President. “For example, our future goods movement workforce training campus will be a model, focusing on the trades people who keep this port complex running.”

The budget includes:

• $1.2 billion over two years to support port-specific high-priority projects that increase goods movement capacity on rail and roadways at port terminals, including rail yard expansions, new bridges, and zero-emissions equipment modernization and deployment.
• $110 million over three years for a goods movement workforce training center in the San Pedro Bay
• $30 million for operational and process improvements at ports, which includes improving data connectivity and enhancing goods movement
• $159.7 million for the purchase of zero-emission drayage trucks as well as charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure

The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. As the second-busiest container seaport in the United States, the Port handles trade valued at more than $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million trade-related jobs across the nation, including 575,000 in Southern California.