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Sunday, December 22, 2024

Bost introduces legislation to fund small ports and waterways in southern Illinois

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Smaller ports in southern Illinois and elsewhere could benefit from proposed legislation giving them greater access to federal funds. | Unsplash/Andy Li

Smaller ports in southern Illinois and elsewhere could benefit from proposed legislation giving them greater access to federal funds. | Unsplash/Andy Li

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would give inland ports, waterways, and privately-owned terminals greater access to federal funds for projects, a release issued on Bost's website said.

"Every year, 575 million tons of cargo travels through our inland ports and waterways, including America’s Central Port and Kaskaskia Port in southern Illinois," Bost said in the release. "Half a million American jobs depend upon inland shipping, yet these ports are at a disadvantage when competing for federal grants. Improving these facilities will have a big impact on our economy and help make local farmers, miners, and manufacturers more competitive in the marketplace."

If passed, the Coastal and Inland Ports and Terminals Commerce Improvements Act would create a grant matching program for smaller terminals and ports. The legislation, cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA), is based on the PORTS Act, which was enacted by Congress in 2019 and provides matching grants to help improve the operation of larger U.S. ports.


U.S. Rep. Mike Bost introduced legislation that would increase funding for small terminals and ports. | Facebook/Rep. Mike Bost

"The legislation sponsored by Congressman Bost and Congressman Lamb addresses inequities in existing law that have placed smaller coastal ports and terminals at a disadvantage when competing for infrastructure investment and create long-term sustainability," Aimee Andres, executive director of Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, Inc., said in the Bost release. "We appreciate their leadership on this important issue to IRPT members."

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