Franklin County won't support plans for deepwater port in Port St. Joe

Franklin County has decided not to offer its support to Port St. Joe’s plan to reinvigorate its deepwater port. Port St. Joe has one of Florida’s 14 deep water seaports which the port authority hopes to make one of the driving forces of Gulf County’s economy. The city’s is well on its way to making its plans reality. They already have an agreement to lease a 63 acre site for port activity and have plans to reconnect train service to the city. Port St. Joe is now asking for a letter of support from Franklin County for the project which could help the city receive more grant money for the project. Franklin County commissioners, however, said Tuesday they don’t think they are going to sign on. Commission Cheryl Sanders said that both Apalachicola and Carrabelle have deep water ports which the county may want to see used in the future. Bevin Putnal agreed saying with the likelihood of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf he wants to make sure that business comes to Franklin County and he doesn’t want anything to get in the way.