Florida’s 16 ports can easily be taken for granted – simply overlooked as large industrial areas, dotted with heavy equipment, warehouses, and a convergence of transportation modes. While this physical description may be fitting, ports don’t always get the recognition they deserve in terms of their overall contributions to our state’s economy.  In truth, ports are significant economic engines for our state. As evidence of this, in 2022 Florida’s ports --through cargo and cruise activities -- supported 900,000 jobs, with an economic contribution of nearly $118 billion; this equates to more than 13% of the state’s total GDP. To help us understand the critical role of ports, we sit down with Mike Rubin, President and CEO of the Florida Ports Council. A recognizable and respected person at the Florida Capitol, Mike is a champion of our state’s ports and long-time friend of FAC.