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IL Congressman Bost Introduces Bill To Help Inland Ports

On June 30th, U.S. Representative Bost (IL-12) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase access to critical federal funding for small ports, terminals, and waterways. Bost’s bill, the Coastal and Inland Ports and Terminals Commerce Improvements Act, establishes a competitive grant matching program for projects at smaller ports and terminals AND makes privately-owned terminals that are important contributors of our maritime commerce system eligible for assistance.


America’s inland ports and terminals are a vital and undervalued contributor to the movement of commerce,” said Aimee Andres, Executive Director of Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, Inc. of East Alton, Illinois.


“Every year, 575 million tons of cargo travels through our inland ports and waterways, including America's Central Port and Kaskaskia Port in Southern Illinois” said Bost. “Half a million American jobs depend upon inland shipping, yet these ports are at a disadvantage when competing for federal grants. Improving these facilities will have a big impact on our economy and help make local farmers, miners, and manufacturers more competitive in the marketplace.”


In 2019, Congress enacted the PORTS Act to provide matching grants for enhancing operations and efficiency investments at our larger ports. Bost's Coastal and land Ports and Terminals Commerce Improvements Act, which was co-sponsored by U.S. Rep Conor Lamb (D-PA), expands upon the success of the PORTS Act by better utilizing an existing set-aside to establish a similar competitive grant matching program for  smaller coastal and inland ports and terminals.


The legislation sponsored by Congressman Bost (R-IL) and Congressman Lamb (D-PA), addresses inequities in existing law that have placed smaller coastal ports and terminals at a disadvantage when competing for infrastructure investments and create long-term sustainability. We appreciate their leadership on this important issue to IRPT Members”, said Andres.


This historic piece of legislation, which allows private terminals eligibility, is truly bi-partisan. The bill, sponsored by Bost (R-IL) and Lamb (D-PA), is co-sponsored by Congressmen Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), and Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV), Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (D-MO).

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