Six eastern Iowa counties form port authority to garner investments [Video]

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – Mississippi River ports in six eastern Iowa counties are federally recognized after joining a new group formed by the Corn Belt Ports.

Called the Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority, the goal of the coalition is to get more funding for ports in the following counties:

• Clinton
• Dubuque
• Jackson
• Louisa
• Muscatine
• Scott

In the last five years, the Corn Belt Ports have helped harbors across the Midwest get more than $2 billion of investments in new attractions, infrastructure, and defense projects.

“It helps increase our investment opportunities,” said Chris Smith, Corn Belt Ports Director of Operations. “There’s an importance to bringing together organizations, cities and counties together to identify shared goals and objectives.”

The City of Dubuque’s Director of Strategic Partnerships Teri Goodmann says the community has missed out on federal funds for its harbors in the past because the port wasn’t federally recognized.

“It’s important to all of our …