During a recent visit to the Port of Mobile, State Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed praised the Port of Mobile's strategic importance. “It’s the gateway for products to come into Mobile from the Gulf of Mexico and reach all of the United States.”

“I’m excited to be at the Port of Alabama in Mobile,” said Reed (R-Jasper) after a tour of the port.

“Today, as you can see behind me, I learned that the number of products in containers arriving in mobile from all over the world has increased by 90% over the past five years, so I couldn't be more excited about this growth. ” of the port. ”

In a recent report from Forbes, research found the Port of Mobile to be the second fastest growing port of the past decade.

“We have a lot to be proud of about what's happening here at the Port of Mobile,” Reed said.

RELATED: Forbes: Alabama's Mobile Port is the second fastest-growing in the U.S.

“The idea is that these containers arrive on huge ships and then are loaded onto trucks or trains and go through Montgomery to Huntsville,” Reed said.

“This is a gateway for mobile products to come from the Gulf of Mexico to all of the United States. So this is a great opportunity for us, and because of the economic growth that we've seen, Alabama is looking to support ports. We’ve spent a lot of taxpayer money.”

RELATED: Study: Port of Mobile brings $85 billion in statewide economic impact

The Port of Mobile, also known as the “Port of Alabama,” handles more than 55 million tons of cargo annually, drives economic growth and job creation, contributes $85 billion in economic value, and supports nearly 313,000 jobs across the state. I am.

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270