Port Tampa Bay envisions new 'hub' with cold storage partnership
By Frances McMorris
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jun 9, 2016

Port Tampa Bay has partnered with Tampa developer Richard Corbett and Port Logistics to finalize the financing of an on-dock cold storage facility at the port.

The announcement moves the project to the design and construction phase; it is expected to be operational in fall 2017.

"This facility will ensure that Central Florida will be the hub for the importing and exporting of refrigerated products," Corbett said.

Port Logistics, headquartered in Orlando, has extensive experience in real estate and logistics park development and entered into a lease agreement with Port Tampa Bay late last year.

Corbett "has been associated with wins on behalf of our community from his development of the International Mall project to his philanthropic investments since his arrival in Tampa in 1978,” said Paul Anderson, president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay. "We are excited that he shares our vision that Port Tampa Bay will be the hub for the growing food distribution market. As in all of our projects at the port, this will be a model public-private partnership that supports our strategic and master plan for our growth and continued diversification to ensure that we will continue as the largest economic engine in West Central Florida for years to come.”

Frances covers transportation and hospitality for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.