ACTION REQUESTED:
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Presentation from the HEART OF ILLINOIS PORT AUTHORITY.
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BACKGROUND: The Heart of Illinois Port District (HIRPD) has been reestablished, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently recognized our area as a Port Statistical Area (PSA) for the Illinois Waterway Ports and Terminals.
The HIRPD is a key anchor for the newly designated Illinois Waterway. This is a significant regional issue which promises to bring recognition and, more importantly, federal investment in marine related projects.
The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District, branded as TransPORT, is located in Central Illinois. The Port District's boundaries consist of Peoria, Fulton, Tazewell, Woodford, and Marshall Counties and all of Mason County except for Havana Township.
The Port District's strategic location in Central Illinois provide it a great logistical advantage. Central Illinois is one of the state's most productive regions for agriculture with corn and soybeans being the greatest produced commodities. In addition, located within the Port District is Peoria's metro area, one of the state's largest urban centers. It is home to Fortune 500 firms, Caterpillar, Komatsu America, Liberty Steel, two significant regional healthcare systems, and numerous professional technical services (finance, legal, engineering) companies. The Port District is the northern most point on the Illinois River to have year-round access and is part of Foreign-Trade Zone #114. The Port District spans both urban and rural communities providing the district diverse industry and potential for growth.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The recent designation as an Illinois Waterway opens up the area for federal investment in marine related projects.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: N/A
IMPACT IF APPROVED: N/A
IMPACT IF DENIED: N/A
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. G...
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