Ocean Highway & Port Authority chair reports strong 2024 tonnage, seeks closer partnership with Nassau County

Justin Taylor, chairman of the Ocean Highway & Port Authority, told the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 19 that the Port of Fernandina is fully operational and that 2024 tonnage performed well.

Taylor said the authority and the port operator, Nassau Marine Terminals, met with county staff to discuss county planning work, including the Vision 2050 plan. "It really opens up the line of communication," Taylor said, and he urged ongoing partnership between the authority, county staff and commissioners as the port pursues new business and economic development opportunities.

Taylor told commissioners the Ocean Highway & Port Authority was established to serve as an elected economic development arm for the county and that the authority plans to begin goal-setting work at an upcoming meeting to identify priorities and opportunities beyond current port operations. "One of the things that I think gets overlooked at times is the Ocean Highway Port Authority was really established to be the elected economic development arm of Nassau County," Taylor said.

Taylor introduced other authority members present at the meeting, including Commissioner Mike Cole, new commissioner Scott Moore and Vice Chair Ray Nelson.

Commissioners thanked the authority for the update and said they are interested in expanding partnership with the port to bring jobs and economic activity to Nassau County. "The port is an economic arm here in Nassau County that that we can hopefully partner with more and, and expand those opportunities," one commissioner said.

The exchange was informational; commissioners did not take formal action on port items during the Feb. 19 session.