Economic Group Honors Port of Hueneme, 4 Firms

The Port of Hueneme, the only deep-water port between San Pedro and San Francisco, was honored Saturday as a contributor of $200 million annually to Ventura County’s economy.

The 40-year-old Port Hueneme facility received the fourth annual Hall of Fame award from the Ventura County Economic Development Assn.

Along with the port, the association honored four companies doing business at the harbor. They are two importers, Del Monte Tropical Fruit Co. and Mazda Motors of America, and two of the oldest firms supplying support services at the port, Offshore Crane & Service Co. and OST Trucking & Cranes.

“We estimate that we’re responsible for more than 2,000 jobs in the county,” said Anthony J. Taormina, executive director of the port and its parent, the Oxnard Harbor District. “And we hope to expand our role even further in late 1993 or early 1994 when we complete our new cool-carrier facility for Sunkist Growers.”