America’s Central Port®, which is managed by the Tri-City Regional Port District, is strategically located in the heart of the U.S. on the Mississippi River and adjacent to an excellent highway system. The Port, and its tenants, offer a wide range of services and facilities including barge, rail and truck transfer of commodities, industrial, commercial and residential development sites, and warehouse and commercial lease opportunities.
The Port is a special-purpose unit of local government whose general mission is economic development in southwestern Illinois. It is one of 14 public ports in the State. The Port was created in 1959 by the Illinois State Legislature. It has many of the same powers as any municipality in the State, including the right to issue bonds and the power to levy a tax. Some of these powers have never been exercised including the taxation power.