Six eastern Iowa counties form port authority to garner investments
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – Mississippi River ports in six eastern Iowa counties are federally recognized after joining a new group formed by the Corn Belt Ports.
Called the Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority, the goal of the coalition is to get more funding for ports in the following counties:
- Clinton
- Dubuque
- Jackson
- Louisa
- Muscatine
- Scott
In the last five years, the Corn Belt Ports have helped harbors across the Midwest get more than $2 billion of investments in new attractions, infrastructure, and defense projects.
“It helps increase our investment opportunities,” said Chris Smith, Corn Belt Ports Director of Operations. “There’s an importance to bringing together organizations, cities and counties together to identify shared goals and objectives.”
The City of Dubuque’s Director of Strategic Partnerships Teri Goodmann says the community has missed out on federal funds for its harbors in the past because the port wasn’t federally recognized.
“It’s important to all of our river towns in Iowa because we are directly connected to the farmers to our east and our west,” explained Goodmann. “We serve a very large population and we want to do it with the best technology and infrastructure possible.”
On October 10 in Moline, the Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority is holding their first meeting to discuss shared goals and priorities among the six communities.
“The Corn Belt Ports are committed to leveraging this new federal designation to secure additional funding, attract new industries, and further develop the region’s multi-modal transportation and natural infrastructure to support commerce and defense for decades to come,” Smith said.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.