Board members spent part of their comments section highlighting the Maritime Skills Center groundbreaking held the day before, describing it as a visible example of cross-sector partnership and regional investment.

Director Bonbright, Director Keating and other board members credited prior leaders for laying groundwork and praised the collaboration of the Port, city, county and state representatives who attended the ceremony. One board member said she was “really touched, listening to President Strozier give a moving speech” and noted the event’s strong community turnout.

The nut graf: Trustees framed the project as more than a local facility, saying the center will provide workforce and career-technical education opportunities for students from multiple districts and will be accompanied by sustainability features and community-facing programming.

Speakers emphasized that the center will create career pipelines and bolster the East Side of the Foss Waterway. Board members said the facility’s partnerships demonstrate broader support — among port commissioners, city and county officials, and state and federal representatives — and described the project as a long-term investment that will affect students and local employers. One director said the building renders “have me excited” about the surrounding neighborhood transformation.

Ending: Board members encouraged community attendance at upcoming ribbon-cuttings and sporting events and returned to regular agenda business.