Dear Mobile Chamber Members,

I am pleased to extend my congratulations to Spiro Cheriogotis on his victory in Tuesday’s mayoral runoff election. He won with about 51% of the vote in what proved to be a race that demonstrated the civic engagement of our community. The 48,835 votes cast in this week’s election marked a 17.7 percent increase from the general election turnout of 41,481 in August.

I also commend state Rep. Barbara Drummond on running an excellent campaign and her continued dedication to serving this community. Both candidates ran positive campaigns that focused on the issues and vision for Mobile’s future.

The Mobile Chamber stands ready to work collaboratively with Mayor-elect Cheriogotis and his transition team as we continue moving Mobile forward together.

Our shared commitment to economic development, infrastructure improvements and creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes remains unwavering. I look forward to building upon the strong foundation that has been established and exploring new avenues for growth that will benefit our entire community.

APM Terminals Announces $58.6 Million Expansion

This week brought exciting news that reinforces Mobile’s position as a premier logistics and maritime hub. APM Terminals Mobile announced a $58.6 million capital investment to expand and modernize the Port of Mobile’s Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF), with support from the Mobile Industrial Development Board.

This significant expansion will deliver tangible benefits to our regional economy.

• Enhanced Capacity & Efficiency: The project will add two 3,000-foot working tracks and introduce two Cantilever Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes (CRMGs), significantly expanding the capacity and efficiency of the facility.

• Economic Impact: The project creates eight new direct jobs and retains 359 existing high-paying positions, demonstrating the Port’s role as an economic anchor for our region.

• Strategic Connectivity: The improvements will help reduce over-the-road truck dependency while strengthening intermodal rail access statewide, positioning Mobile businesses to better compete in national and international markets.

As I noted when this announcement was made, investments like this demonstrate the strength of our port infrastructure and its importance to economic growth across Alabama. The ability to move more cargo efficiently means more opportunities for businesses and communities statewide.

This expansion represents far more than infrastructure improvement, it’s a testament to the collaborative approach that makes Mobile successful. This investment builds on the Port Authority’s ongoing program of state and federally backed capital improvements, including

• $366 million channel deepening and widening project
• $109 million Phase IV container terminal expansion
• $98 million construction of the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility
• The upcoming ~$100 million Phase V berth expansion

Together, these initiatives demonstrate the strength of Alabama’s public–private partnership model, which is driving record growth at the Port of Mobile.

Looking Ahead: With construction underway, the improvements are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, ensuring Mobile maintains its competitive edge in the global marketplace.

The Bottom Line: This announcement exemplifies the type of strategic investment that creates lasting economic value for our community. I congratulate APM Terminals, the Alabama Port Authority and all partners involved in making this expansion possible.

Until next week,