NEW BEDFORD — Tuesday was a big day on the city's waterfront. A ribbon-cutting to celebrate the successful completion of three infrastructure improvement projects drew state and local officials to the State Pier at the same time as a two-day international conference designed to increase commerce through the port concluded at the Fairfield Inn's Waypoint Event Center.
"It's a nice synergy in that we are discussing trade opportunities at the summit while the renovations at the State Pier will support the import of commodities that's going to launch with our Mexmar service," said Harbor Development Commission executive director Kristin Decas.
A new partnership between New Bedford and the port of Tuxpan, in the state of Veracruz on Mexico's Gulf Coast, is currently being finalized, with the first freighter bringing Mexican produce to the region expected to dock at State Pier within the next two weeks, Decas said.
The events brought Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray to the city. Cutting the ribbon on the $3.3 million pier renovation project, Murray said: "Bringing international cargo to New Bedford is what we want to grow and expand, so I want to thank all the partners who have worked so hard to make this happen."
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