The Southern Illinois Port Districts are making significant strides in infrastructure development, economic revitalization, and regional collaboration, positioning the area as a rising leader in inland waterborne commerce. For the first time ever, all five Southern Illinois Port Districts ranked in the Top 150 Leading U.S. Ports according to the most recent report¹.

The Alexander–Cairo Port District continues to advance its development efforts with the completion of important milestones in 2025 including the necessary Phase I environmental site assessment and a Commodity Flows and Opportunities Analysis. The findings recommended a diversified approach to port operations and highlighted the potential for container-on-barge applications. A navigational study conducted by Seamen’s Church Institute’s Center for Maritime Education was also completed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the proposed port and barge fleeting locations under varying river conditions. The study aimed to determine whether the current site supports efficient tow transits, identify necessary adjustments to minimize navigational impact, and recommend optimal facility placements. Of the 24 simulated runs, 24 were successful for a 100% success rate, indicating favorable results with the fleet and dock facility as proposed.  The next steps include presentation of the navigational study report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review to inform future permitting and design decisions. Studies were made possible with funding through the Illinois Department of Transportation along with support from the Delta Regional Authority’s Strategic Planning Program.

The Jackson–Union Counties Regional Port District is actively engaged in identifying and promoting economic development investments and partnerships including, but not limited to, the Southern Illinois Airport, creation of a new Jackson County Industrial Park, repurposing of the Grand Tower Power Plant site, expansion of Ameren electrical capacity, and infrastructure upgrades for existing port facilities.  To assist in this effort, in August 2025, the Port District launched a comprehensive economic feasibility study funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation to review existing economic development opportunities and identify ways to address infrastructure gaps and regional transportation networks to advance regional economic development.

In a major breakthrough, the Massac–Metropolis Port District (MMPD)² acquired ownership of the former Lock and Dam 52 site in Brookport, Illinois in June 2025. Thanks to a public-private partnership with MMPD, City of Brookport and private landowners, MMPD now has approximately 16,300 feet of continuous river frontage and the land behind it to offer prospective developers, noting that environmental and archaeological studies are complete along with an access road and utilities.  Moreover, discussions are underway about strategies to extend Foreign Trade Zone status to Brookport, which would include the newly acquired site. The Port District has contracted with Bacon Farmer Workman/Marcum Engineering and Consulting to conduct a multi-phase feasibility study to determine the site’s best use and long-term transportation plans as strategic economic development tools.

The Shawneetown Regional Port District broke ground on a new fertilizer distribution terminal in August 2025³, backed by $27 million in public-private investment including a Rebuild Illinois Port Facilities Capital Investment Grant award. The project repurposes former coal infrastructure and is expected to create nearly 50 jobs. This progress builds upon the U.S. Department of Transportation’s investment of $10,120,000 for the Shawneetown Regional Port Revitalization Project including a 1.25-mile port access road to support port expansions and intermodal access⁴. An additional $420,000 was secured to support a master plan to create a road map toward building a Port of the Future for long-term economic sustainability.

A major regional achievement was met with the submission of the federal Port Statistical Area (PSA) designation application⁵ on August 8, 2025. The proposal received strong regional backing by local port districts and county boards, along with application administrative support from Southern Illinois Now (SI Now).

PSAs were first reported in 2021⁶ and defined as “a region with formally justified shared economic interests and collective reliance on infrastructure related to waterborne movements of commodities that is formally recognized by legislative enactments of state, county or city governments”. The creation of the statistical boundary will help enable rural, regional transportation operations, support regional multi-modal transportation and other infrastructure planning, and provide for regional marketing and investment opportunities which could lead to job creation and economic growth for rural Southern Illinois. If approved, in addition to the individual port district rankings, the Southern Illinois region could rank 5^th in the nation in total tonnage, enhancing visibility and attracting strategic investment.

The Southern Illinois Regional Port Commission (SIRPC) Port Statistical Area (PSA) initiative and regional alignment was applauded by representatives of agriculture and port interests including the Mid-America Port Commission, Illinois Waterway Ports Commission, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn Growers Association, and Illinois Farm Bureau, with support and application assistance from the Corn Belt Ports⁵.

In addition to the growth of the four southernmost port districts and PSA application, the Kaskaskia Regional Port District (KRPD)⁷ continues to make significant advancements including infrastructure improvements and studies to drive future progress.  Current projects include a second entrance road and two laydown yards at KRPD #2 to accommodate growth, and a completed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study to evaluate navigation improvements to support expected tonnage increases. Ranked 68^th largest in the country, the 11^th largest Inland Port, and the 5^th largest port in the State of Illinois based on tonnage, KRPD sets the bar high as a leading inland port. In August 2025, Brent Donovan was named KRPD’s next General Manager to lead the Port District following Ed Weilbacher’s well-deserved retirement announcement following a very successful 14 years managing and growing KRPD.

These efforts reflect growing momentum toward transforming the region’s ports into a cornerstone of Southern Illinois’ economic future. “The individual growth of our region’s port districts combined with a dedication to advancing shared economic interests reflect the strength of our region and the collective commitment to drive economic growth,” said Deb Barnett, Executive Director of Southern Illinois Now. “Our region’s port district boards and private companies are doing great work and we’re proud to support these efforts toward continued momentum.”

1. The U.S Coastal and Inland Navigation System: 2023 Transportation Facts & Information, https://publibrary.sec.usace.army.mil/api/download?id=0aab3c03-f568-4c93-a08c-1e681954fa84&filename=FactCard2023.pdf&token=&preview=true
2. The Waterways Journal Weekly, Massac-Metropolis Port District Acquires Lock Site, https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2025/09/12/massac-metropolis-port-district-acquires-lock-site/
3. The Waterways Journal Weekly, Shawneetown Port Marks Groundbreaking for Fertilizer Terminal, https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2025/09/12/shawneetown-port-marks-groundbreaking-for-fertilizer-terminal/
4. The Waterways Journal Weekly, Large PIDP Grant Aids Shawneetown, Ill., Port Plan, https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2024/01/23/large-pidp-grant-aids-shawneetown-ill-port-plan/
5. The Waterways Journal Weekly, Southern Illinois Ports Pitch New District, https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2025/08/29/southern-illinois-ports-pitch-new-district/
6. The U.S Coastal and Inland Navigation System: 2021 Transportation Facts & Information, https://publibrary.sec.usace.army.mil/api/download?id=fc4d3a1c-18db-42dc-afcc-e6c190e37940&filename=FactCard2021.pdf&token=&preview=true
7. Kaskaskia Regional Port District, https://www.kaskaskiaport.com/home