Rock Island leases its commercial port on Mill Street to Alter Logistics. River Stone Group also has one on Van Druff's Island.
Mayor Mike Thoms says the federal government has always recognized the two Rock Island ports. But the state did not. The regional designation is needed to qualify for grants to pay for improvements and to help increase trade.
Thoms says Rock Island's Sunset Marina could be the first project to benefit from the regional port designation.
The mayor emphasizes the Rock Island Regional Port District does not create a new level of government. And the city council serves as the port district board.
Thoms co-wrote the bill with Denise Bulat from the Bi-State Regional Commission. The bi-partisan legislation was co-sponsored by Illinois Senators Mike Halpin and Neil Anderson, plus several members of the House from both parties including Gregg Johnson, Tony McCombie, Dan Swanson, and Norine Hammond.
“This is great news for the Quad Cities,” said Chris Smith, operations director for Corn Belt Ports. “The passage of Rock Island Regional Port District legislation with strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate sends a clear message of the importance of this area to regional and national supply chains. It also further demonstrates the need and supports initiatives for federal and state investment in the region. This was the only stretch of inland water in Illinois that has an interstate crossing but not a state recognized port.”
