Corn Belt Ports Update
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Description
Prior to 2019 there were no U.S Inland Ports in the Heart of the Corn Belt. Between 2020 and 2022 four new regional top-ranked Corn Belt Ports were created and federally recognized that now handle nearly 100 million tons of freight. Since 2022, Corn Belt Ports attracted over two billion dollars in multi-modal and natural infrastructure investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and other funding sources. The recognition of the Corn Belt Ports has clearly enabled Rural (Downstate) Illinois to be more competitive for direct and indirect investment. Join us for an overview of new investment and impacts, and conversations around economic development for the Upper Mississippi Region.
