Corn Belt Ports

We are now going to start seeing an acceleration in Hydropower Investment as part of the Green Marine Highway Initiative. We got off to a bit of a slow hydropower start with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law a couple of years ago. Who doesn’t love clean renewable energy?

Another Green Marine Highway Initiative winner in the Upper Mississippi River Ports of Iowa and Illinois area. QC MetroLINK is always leading the way. Was nice to join Jennifer Hirsch at the Clean Ports media event. Photo in comments. Cc QC MetroLINK Chris Smith, CPP, PMP Rick Granados

Something else to be thankful for. We live to move more soy exports through our ports to global markets. https://lnkd.in/gqHwzKQi.

The Corn Belt Ports Initiative was a multi-state, grass roots effort that involved the leadership of the riverfront county boards on the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway, and everyone wanted to take some action to get results. ?I think everyone was simply tired of being invisible, being suppressed, being left out, and being left off when it came to federal and state multi-modal transportation and natural infrastructure investment in the region. It is nice to see that we, for the first time in history have some nationally ranked ports, are on the U.S. ports map, and are attracting some infrastructure investment that we have never seen before.?We appreciate the bipartisan leadership and support of our elected officials in Washington, and everything they do every day to serve us.?Our rural, regional, multi-modal, inland ports (as we all have known for decades) are nationally and globally significant. The intrepid leadership of both Chris Smith, CPP, PMP and Anshu Singh, Ph.D. on the Corn Belt Ports Team is inspiring every day. The Corn Belt Ports has been a team sport from the very beginning with a huge, wonderful Midwestern team. https://lnkd.in/g77vmyW7

Two rural riverfront communities of less than 1,000 people can compete at the national level and win. Our "new" rural, regional, multi-modal, inland ports are a nationally and globally significant part of the supply chain. https://lnkd.in/giE63E-Z

We like it when our rural, riverfront communities win. Actually, that is what we live for. Nice article in FarmWeek Now. The Corn Belt Ports do offer a model for rural areas competing at the national level and winning. https://lnkd.in/g4nqUWQ3

We officially kicked off the Corn Belt Ports Green Marine Highway Initiative with this $2.99 M USEPA grant.?We have been supporting numerous decarbonization initiatives in our Corn Belt Ports since 2020.?But, now they are being rolled into regional efforts aligned with each of the four Corn Belt Port regions.?This Clean Ports grant from USEPA, which is in partnership with the Illinois EPA is the first time in history that our rural, regional, multi-modal, inland ports have received a USEPA Grant.?We were not even on USEPA’s Ports Map in 2020.?As we have said all along you can’t invest in a port that doesn’t exist.?It is always great to have our governors say, “Our Ports are an Essential Part of Our Economy.” ??Debra Shore’s team at EPA Region 5 has been great to work with.?We are looking forward to a close relationship with the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition in execution of this initiative.?Our Port Partners in Louisiana received a similar regional clean ports grant, and we are looking forward to collaborating with them on this effort. ?A related media release is in the comments. Cc David Cummins

Everyone appreciates Alex Dixon's leadership in the region. His enthusiasm for advancing the Ports of Eastern Iowa is contagious.

-- Another $82M -- Ports bridge the Chicagoland and Downstate Divide, and the Urban and Rural Divide in Illinois.?We are blessed that our elected officials and the Illinois Ports Team works every day to serve all of Illinois. Grant Award Recipients Pictured from the Media Event on Friday:?Robert Sinkler, Chris Smith, CPP, PMP and Rick Granados representing the Corn Belt Ports Team (Bookends); and Dr. P.S. Sriraj the Vice Chair and Ivan Solls the Chair of the Illinois International Port District of Chicago (In the Middle). Cc Erik Varela

Two Big Infrastructure Wins Today!?The Illinois Waterway Ports Commission area received notification of a $38,582,711 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant award for a facility at Hennepin, IL (in the Illinois Regional Valley Port District).?A facility at Hardin, IL in the Mid-America Port Commission Area of Interest received notification of a $9,000,000 PIDP grant award (Calhoun County, IL).?This is the very first time in U.S. history that the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission area has ever received a PIDP grant award.?Creating regional port identities makes a huge difference in preparing for, competing for, and attracting investment.?A few overview slides attached. Travis Black is always a big help. We appreciate his leadership.