Two Major Inland River Ports in the US Agree to Establish Marketing, Promotion and Other Relationships New Orleans, LA:  Officials with America’s Central Port and the Port of New Orleans signed a new marketing agreement between the two ports during the annual Inland Rivers and Terminals Conference held in New Orleans last month. The agreement (which is attached) was formally approved at the Tri-City Port District Board meeting on Monday April 8, 2013. Tri City Port Board Chairman Steve Signall and Port of New Orleans Exec Director Gary LaGrange Shake Hands After Executing the Agreement The marketing agreement is a …

Responding to Southern Illinois’ extreme weather conditions – from this past year’s record drought to potential flooding this spring- the two Congressmen came to America’s Central Port to outline their bipartisan proposal to improve Mississippi River navigation. During this discussion, Davis and Enyart highlighted how their legislation, The Mississippi River Navigation Sustainment Act would bolster efforts to maintain commercial river traffic during droughts and floods. They are committed to continuing efforts to protect and expand Mississippi River commerce and expand Southern Illinois preparedness to deal with extreme water levels. “The Mississippi River is a jewel of the Midwest and a true …

Volunteers are needed for the Fifth Annual Confluence Trash Bash on Saturday, March 23, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Make a difference in our communities by cleaning up our neighborhoods, rivers, and streams! After picking up litter, volunteers can return to their starting location or join a larger group at the Old Chain or Rocks Bridge for an appreciation lunch and a chance to celebrate! Prizes will be given for interesting trash finds. Register online for this event at: https://behrmann.wufoo.com/forms/5th-annual-confluence-trash-bash/ Many sites are family friendly and volunteering is also a great opportunity for scouts to earn badges and students to earn …

A free, collaborative symposium highlighting the solar energy opportunities available to governmental agencies, educational and healthcare institutions, and non-profits will be held at Southwestern Illinois College’s Sam Wolf Granite City campus on April 3rd, 2013. The Sam Wolf Granite City Campus is located one mile south of Interstate 270 at the intersection of Maryville Road and Highway 203 on the north side of Granite City. The symposium will cover positive examples of how the investment of solar energy can: Maximize funding opportunities Save your community thousands of future dollars Promote clean air and waterways Enhance and improve your property Improve the health …

A Lunch and Learn program, “A Greener You – A Greener World,” will be held at Southwestern Illinois College’s Belleville Campus on April 2nd during the lunch hour. Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided. Discover the positive impacts some common green practices have on Earth’s living systems, including: Recycling Energy efficiency Nontoxic home cleaning Gardening This interactive program, presented by Jean Ponzi, green resources manager for Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center, will empower people to educate others about how to grow greener. Ponzi, a communications specialist for EarthWays Center, is an environmental educator, writer and the host of “Earthworms” on 88.1 FM, KDHX radio. …

With support from the Illinois Department of Commerce  and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) is offering a unique educational opportunity to learn about energy efficiency and green practices. This program, hosted by Illinois community colleges throughout the state, is designed to promote measurable energy demand reduction through education and training. Learn From National Experts: Produce measurable electricity and gas savings—and save money at the same time Create a culture of energy awareness by making energy efficiency a top-level priority Raise the level of energy efficiency literacy Upcoming local courses at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL are listed below. …

America’s Central Port invites you to join East-West Gateway Council of Governments, FOCUS St. Louis, and 10 other regional partners for the third public meeting of the St. Louis Regional Plan for Sustainable Development’s Tri-Cities Community Planning Area (CPA). In Round 1: You identified critical issues facing our community. In Round 2: You identified revitalization, flooding and transit priorities. In Round 3:You can provide feedback on examples created specifically for our community. Come join us in this continuing effort to create a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development! The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (rescheduled) at …

Granite City – Long before Lewis and Clark, our region was home to our country’s prehistoric foundation civilization – the Mississippian Culture. It has been said from these individuals sprang today’s great Indian Nations. With cultural reaches from Canada and Mexico along the mighty Mississippi, their center of trade and cultural exchange was here – Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois – spread over five counties. Cahokia Mounds, and the archaeological resources in the region today, are in need of additional protection tools that will help to secure the remnants of the largest Native American civilization in the North American Continent. …

On Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, America’s Central Port will host an E-Cycle drop site located on the former Army Depot Commissary parking lot located at West Seventh Street and A Street within the Port. Operated by WITS Inc. an electronics recovery organization, this site serves as the Tri-cities E-scrap drop off point. The event is open to the general public regardless of residency or business location. Metro area residents with electronic products and items to be recycled can enter the Port property through the Welcome Center located on Niedringhaus Avenue then follow the signs to …

Granite City- Recently elected, U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart and his Washington DC Legislative Director (LD)Willie Lyles visited America’s Central Port on Tuesday January 28,  in Granite City, Illinois. During the visit, Congressman Enyart was provided a briefing on Port operations and capabilities by the Port’s Executive Director Dennis Wilmsmeyer and Business Development Manager, Frank Miles. During the briefing Congressman Enyart was given an update on the new South Harbor construction project and also an update on river levels in the area. His LD was provided information by Port staff regarding upcoming infrastructure needs for the Port. Executive Director Dennis Wilmsmeyer explained that ”while …