What’s having a port worth to San Diego? About $7.6 billion annually, according to an economic study released Tuesday.
In fact, if all of the port-related jobs were aggregated, they would collectively rank as the second largest employer in San Diego County.
The report to the Board of Port Commissioners by Economic & Planning Systems Inc., a national economics consultant, found that the port’s economic value has grown by 8 percent over the past two years, with jobs increasing by 9 percent.
“The data confirms the Port of San Diego is a powerful regional economic engine with substantial benefits reaching far and wide,” said Chairman Dan Malcolm. “As we plan ahead, our goal is to find opportunities for additional economic growth, balanced with public open space and continued investment in the future of the tidelands and the region.”
Port-related activities directly account for more than 33,000 jobs, generating more than $4.4 billion annually, the report found.
An additional 24,600 jobs and $3.2 billion in indirect impact are generated in San Diego County from goods and services purchased by businesses and organizations located on Port tidelands, along with their employees.
The jobs are diverse, from ship repair and cargo processing to boat brokers and maritime attorneys to tourism-related activities like restaurants, hotels and ocean fishing.
The study was based on data for 2011 to 2013.