Iowa counties form Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority

Six counties in eastern Iowa have signed a resolution to form the Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority. The authority will operate within the Mississippi River ports in the eastern Iowa and western Illinois region. This formal resolution will expand the Corn Belt Ports’ footprint and reinforce its crucial role in national commerce, transportation and defense. This recognition by the federal government demonstrates the strategic importance of the region, which is now one of the top 100 U.S. ports by freight tonnage.

The Port Authority will serve six Iowa Counites:

• Clinton
• Dubuque
• Jackson
• Louisa
• Muscatine
• Scott

The first meeting of the Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois will be held on October 10 at the Western Illinois University Riverfront Campus, 3300 River Drive in Moline and is open to the public.

The Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa includes key military facilities like the Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, both of which are served by Marine Highway 35. This region has been a cornerstone of U.S. defense infrastructure and continues to be the Midwest’s premier hub for defense logistics, manufacturing, engineering, and training. Enhanced capacity and federal recognition will further solidify its vital role in supporting national defense and economic security.

“The formation of the Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority is a significant milestone for our region and reflects the vital role that the Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois play in both our national defense and our economy,” said Ryan Sempf, Executive Director of Government Affairs for the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. “Our multi-modal ports are not only key to moving critical goods across the country but are also integral to supporting the U.S. military’s efforts to maintain readiness and strategic capabilities.”

“We are excited about the Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority getting established,” said Mike Thoms, Rock Island mayor and Chair of the Rock Island Regional Port District. “It will help unify the current regional multi-modal port activities going on across the Upper Mississippi River from each other in Illinois and Iowa. The Rock Island Regional Port District was approved by the Illinois State Legislature last year, and we have already seen the benefits of officially being recognized as a multi-modal inland port. We expect the Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority will see similar benefits. This is a win for the bi-state region”

“Muscatine has been thought of for decades as the Port City of the Corn Belt,” said Dr. Brad Bark, Mayor of Muscatine and President and CEO of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “But being officially recognized as a multi-modal inland port is the first step in realizing our region’s full economic potential.”

“The Ports of Eastern Iowa are much stronger united and working together to achieve common regional economic development objectives,” said Jim Irwin, Clinton County Supervisor. “Our counties look forward to collaboratively partnering with public and private entities to advance our mutual, multi-modal infrastructure needs that will enable us to reach national and global markets at reduced cost and risk.”

“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,” said Chris Smith, Director of Operations for the Corn Belt Ports.

Corn Belt Ports deliver almost 100 million tons of freight annually, which is expected to increase every year. Since 2019, Corn Belt Ports have helped attract over $2 billion of investment in multi-modal and natural infrastructure from multiple sources.

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