A Port District is a powerful economic development tool.  The primary benefit of this tool is the creation of industrial and transportation employment for Central Illinois.  Competitive regions around the nation are utilizing port districts to generate jobs and commerce in the new economy.

The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District was established under State law as a quasi-state agency to work collaboratively with local, state, and federal governments.  The counties and municipalities which make up the Port District are benefited with additional economic development resources.

The Port District encompasses over 60 miles of the Illinois River and could include anywhere from five to fifteen development sites within the District’s boundaries.  Six Central Illinois counties – Fulton, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford – make up the region that composes the Port District.

The Illinois Heartland is especially well-suited to capitalize on the opportunities the establishment of the Port District will provide.  Access to barge, truck, rail, and air transportation modes enables the region to provide competitive intermodal logistics capabilities in a highly strategic location central to the Midwest and in the heart of the nation.

Model port districts encompass hundreds of acres, house dozens of companies, and generate hundreds – if not thousands – of jobs resulting directly from the Port operation.

The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District will fuel business and job growth not only on Port sites, but throughout the entire region.  For every one job directly created by Port District development, two or three jobs could be created indirectly through Port related activity.  The potential for this to become a premier job generator for the Illinois Heartland is very real.

The Port District is charged with fostering, stimulating, and promoting the shipment of cargoes and commerce through Central Illinois ports.  The Port District will contribute to overall Sate of Illinois transportation objectives while generating real economic value to the local and State economy.  The Port District will promote and champion industrial, commercial, transportation, and economic activity within the State of Illinois.

The Port District Board of Directors plays a critical role in the success of the Port District as an economic driver for the Illinois Heartland economy.  Model ports around the nation have Boards of varying sizes and involvement levels.  Each Board has one thing in common, however – a very diverse, business-savvy membership with representation from diverse backgrounds including law, banking, marketing, commodity markets, steel, petroleum, and maritime and industrial activities.

The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District Board 

The Ultimate Goal of the Port District is to reach critical mass within ten to fifteen years.  As a self-sustaining entity – independent from local, state, and federal funding – the Port District will generate the jobs and business growth necessary to position Central Illinois and the State of Illinois as an increasingly competitive force in the global economy.