Propeller club honors Rep. Ron Reagan

PALMETTO — The Port Manatee Propeller Club honored Florida State Rep. Ron Reagan with its highest honor as Maritime Person of the Year during ceremonies Nov. 12 at the Bradenton Yacht Club.

Reagan received the award based on his ongoing support of Port Manatee. In 2009, he introduced and sponsored the Port Manatee Developments of Regional Impact Exemption Bill in the Florida Legislature, which was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist May 29. The law extends DRI exemption privileges to within a three-mile radius of all Florida ports, sparing qualified developments the years-long process of permitting and speeding new projects forward.

It also enhances the port’s ability to attract new industries and distribution centers to the new Port Manatee Encouragement Zone – a 3,700-acre region of land, locally incentivized for commercial development.

Reagan serves Florida District 67, which includes portions of Sarasota, Manatee and Hillsborough counties. He has called the area home for more than 30 years and has raised all three of his children in the district.

Reagan’s district is currently one of the fastest growing areas in the state, which has led to him being on the forefront of changes to growth management and business regulation and election issues. Reagan is the vice chair of the Full Appropriations Council on Education and Economic Development. He also serves as the vice chair of the Full Appropriations Council on General Government and Health Care and serves on the Rules and Calendar Council.

Port Manatee’s Propeller Club is chartered by the International Propeller Club of the United States and is dedicated to furthering the nation’s maritime industries and the U.S. merchant marine. The local chapter comprises more than 100 members and is accepting new applicants. For more information, visit www.manateepropellerclub.com.