Port Tampa Bay, Tampa, Fla., partnered with Tampa developer Richard Corbett and Port Logistics, Orlando, Fla., to finalize the financing of an on-dock cold storage facility.

The announcement moves the project to the design and construction phase. The project is expected to be operational in the fall of 2017.

Port Logistics maintains extensive experience in real estate and logistics park development, and entered into a lease agreement with Port Tampa Bay late last year.

“Dick Corbett has supported Tampa Bay, Central Florida and the state for many years. He has been associated with wins on behalf of our community from his development of the International Mall project to his philanthropic investments since his arrival in Tampa in 1978. We are excited that he shares our vision that Port Tampa Bay will be the hub for the growing food distribution market,” says Paul Anderson, president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay. “As in all of our projects at the port, this will be a model public-private partnership that supports our strategic and master plan for our growth and continued diversification to ensure that we will continue as the largest economic engine in West Central Florida for years to come.”