Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro, Island Elected Officials celebrate groundbreaking of Import Cement Terminal which will bring 200 new jobs to Staten Island
STATEN ISLAND— Borough President James P. Molinaro, Senator Diane J. Savino, Congressman Michael McMahon, Assemblyman Matt Titone and Assemblyman Lou Tobacco joined today in celebrating the groundbreaking ceremony of a new Staten Island Import Terminal, the largest of its kind in New York State. The eco-friendly cement and aggregate deep water import terminal will allow for the importation and distribution of cement in and around New York City, which is of vital importance to the construction industry and development in the city. The project will employ up to 100 union construction workers during the construction phase and once operational, will permanently employ 125 union employees. The Staten Island Import Terminal will provide economic stimulus to Staten Island when many are struggling during this economic crisis.
“Today’s groundbreaking signals that New York—Staten Island especially—is indeed open for business," said Senator Savino. “With their emphasis on being an environmentally sound facility, as well as their commitment to employing local union workers, Staten Island Terminal, LLC is a wonderful example of what a good corporate neighbor should be. This project, which is entirely privately funded, will not only create good paying jobs with benefits, but will also reduce truck traffic across our roadways. I want to thank Senator Schumer and Borough President James Molinaro for their assistance in making this import terminal a reality.”
“In these times of high unemployment, especially on Staten Island, where the unemployment rate has risen over the past few months, we welcome the hundreds of additional jobs that this facility will bring to our Borough,” said Borough President James Molinaro.
The facility will provide a guaranteed supply of cement to the market, through its partnership with the Peruvian company Cementos Lima, the owner of one of the largest cement plants in the Americas and a major cement and clinker exporter to the United States. Its location will allow for easy access to the concrete producers in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Long Island. Ready-mix concrete plants will also have easy access to obtain their necessary cement supply.
Dick Sabatini, President and CEO of Staten Island Terminal LLC, gave special thanks to Senator Schumer, State Senator Savino and Borough President James Molinaro for their assistance during the permitting process of the new facility.
“We’re very pleased to bring this operation to New York City where it will provide new and permanent positions and, in addition, support our construction industry,” said Mr. Sabatini.
Currently, New York imports the bulk of its cement from New Jersey and Lehigh Valley, resulting in higher distribution costs and truck traffic. Staten Island Terminal, LLC will be capable of delivering 800,000 metric tons of cement annually to the metro New York City ready-mix concrete market, via marine distribution, which will significantly lower the distribution cost of the material.
There are countless gains to be made by the construction of the terminal, all of which will benefit Staten Island. There will be increased economic activity in Staten Island and the New York City area due to cement distribution and the creation of new union jobs, which are more needed than ever currently.
The added environmental benefits of replacing truck distribution with marine shipments are reduced truck emissions, highway and bridge congestion, and decreased expenditures on repair, maintenance and replacement of transportation assets. In addition, during construction, environmentally friendly equipment will be used to build the eco-friendly terminal.
The construction of the terminal will take approximately 24 months to complete and will employ up to 100 full time and part time construction related personnel on Staten Island. The facility and associated local trucking will create 125 new permanent positions in the area, virtually all of which will be union jobs with corresponding wages and benefits.
It will provide additional city and state tax revenues based on gross sales of $70,000,000-$100,000,000 per year, while the annual operating expenses of $15,000,000 will be generated in the local economy.
Senator Charles Schumer, who was unable to attend said, “This is tremendous news for Staten Island and anyone who is concerned about the economic future of this great community. This is a big win for Staten Island, creating new jobs during a tough economy, investment in infrastructure, environmental benefits, reduced traffic, and eased transportation costs for building trades. I’m proud of the work Senator Savino and I have done to bring this terminal to fruition and pleased to know Staten Island will benefit so significantly.”
“This is an extremely monumental project for Staten Island. The new terminal is representative of the type of growth and development which Staten Island desperately needs, especially in such unstable financial times. We will be creating hundreds of jobs for our community and expanding Staten Island’s waterfront and importation capabilities in an environmentally sound fashion,” said Congressman Michael McMahon
Assemblyman Matt Titone, whose district encompasses the Terminal said, "I welcome Staten Island Terminal to the North Shore both as a business and as a neighbor. This enterprise will provide much needed jobs and economic development on Staten Island’s Gold Coast."
“Today’s groundbreaking demonstrates what can be accomplished when Government and private industry work together. State and City Agencies should encourage economic development not be a foe or obstacle to it. Under the leadership of our Borough President James Molinaro and Senator Diane Savino, Staten Island Terminal, will bring real jobs; economic activity and two countries together here on Staten Island,” added Assemblyman Lou Tobacco.
February 27, 2009