Delaware governor Jack Markell has announced the signing of a multi-million dollar land and warehouse lease extension between Dole Fresh Fruit Company and the Diamond State Port Corporation, which will see Dole remain at the Port of Wilmington and in the state of Delaware until 2025.
Delaware is home to the world's largest banana port, with Dole directing 57 ship-calls to Wilmington in 2009, unloading thousands of tonnes of tropical fruit and general cargo in the process.
A recent economic impact study carried out by Martin & Associates for the Port credited Dole with generating over US$45m in annual business revenue, creating and sustaining more than 800 stable jobs and producing over US$3.1m per year in regional taxes.
'We will be doing everything we can to help businesses like Dole be successful in Delaware,' said Mr Markell. 'This long-term lease secures more than 800 jobs at the Port, which keeps cargo moving and brings significant economic benefits to the region.'
Joseph Tesoriero, executive vice-president and chief financial officer for Dole Food Company, said that the group was pleased to extend its relationship with the Port of Wilmington.
'It will allow Dole to continue growing our regional market share through Wilmington and enjoy Delaware's superior perishable supply chain capabilities for the next 15 years,' he said. 'From Wilmington, we can efficiently access major distribution centres as far away as Ontario, Quebec and the maritime provinces of Canada in the north, and in the US as far west as the Mississippi River and as far south as North Carolina.'
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