On March 11th, 2015, Florida Governor Rick Scott visited Port Manatee to dedicate the Port's newest  berth and to highlight newly-created jobs.   Several local, port and government officials, as well as local business leaders, joined the ribbon cutting event. Among the speakers were Carlos Buqueras, Executive Director of Port Manatee; Carol Whitmore, Manatee County Port Authority Chair; Jim Boxold, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary; Sandy McLauchlin, Air Products General Manager; Carlos Diaz, Director of World Direct Shipping and Sharon Hillstrom, CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Council.