By Jim Baer
The Tri-City Regional Port in Madison County, Ill.
celebrates its golden anniversary this year.
From its humble origins, this intermodal waterway is one of the most significant developments in the United States today, and for that matter, anywhere in the world. Most deep-water ports are located on the coasts of America; located in the Tri Cities (comprised primarily of the communities of Granite City, along with Madison and Venice, Ill.), Tri-City Port compares favorably to other ports found inland like Memphis and New Orleans.
Fifty years ago, the Illinois State Legislature created the Tri-City Regional Port District, entrusting the new development with the general mission of furthering economic development in Southern Illinois. The port operates without benefit of any public tax dollars, and has evolved into an economic engine with a regional economic impact of $200 million annually. The port facilities move some three million tons of products by barge, by rail and truck every year.
An independent regional economic impact assessment by RSN Economic Group Inc. shows the Port District to be responsible alone for 1,347 high-paying jobs in Madison County, $55 million in payroll and state and local taxes of almost $10 million annually.
The Tri-City Regional Port District services approximately 2,500 barges annually and serves all major barge lines. The channel depth varies between 10 and 45 feet with an average depth of 32 feet. This port is the northernmost year round ice free port on the U.S. Inland waterway system and is situated just four miles north of the St. Louis Arch in the shadows of the McKinley Bridge.
Bob Wydra, who has served as executive director of the Port for 27 years, has a notion of why it all works so well. “What makes this port succeed is the teamwork that exists between our staff and our board of directors, and a strong coordination of effort with all of our allies. We have a consensus from our supporters to get things done and that is throughout the Tri-City (Madison County) region,” he stated to a group of nearly 160 public officials, employees, friends and boosters of the Port who enjoyed an evening cruise on the Becky Thatcher Steamboat on the Mississippi River recently, celebrating the milestone anniversary.
Wydra is able to pinpoint some of the key elements of success for the Port District. “First, our location is important. We are accessible to local industries, agriculture and various means of transportation. We are definitely on the same page with our public policy makers. (Combination of the seven member Board of Commissioners and the professional 29-member fulltime staff at the Port). And we are blessed with civic-minded leaders—the Regional Chamber & Growth Association, Leadership Council and the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA)—as well as local chambers of commerce and city governments. Our Congressional support is outstanding,” he notes, tipping his cap to Sen. Dick Durbin and Congressman Jerry Costello. “When there are funds available at the federal level, these two Congressional leaders help us find them,” said Wydra.
“My job simply is to go out and find those wide shoulders of support, and put plenty of weight on those shoulders. A strong work ethic of our professional staff gets things done,” said the Executive Director. “Our continuous goal is always finding the best and highest possible use of our property and our facilities,” stated Wydra.
Ed Hagnauer, Mayor of Granite City, serves as Chairman of the Port District Board. “I happen to be one of the shortest serving members of the board, but for all of us, this has been exciting times. We have been able to boost our local industry and create high tech jobs,” said the mayor. The mayor points to the construction of a $250 million Abengoa Bioenergy ethanol manufacturing plant to come on line later this year. “It really helps to have diversity in the community. We are not totally reliant on the steel mills in Granite City for our jobs and income. We are also very proud of the residential component on the property. Some 100 military families call the Port District home, living in brick structures that were converted when the Port took control of the U.S. Army Charles Melvin Price Support Center (CMPSC) in 2000. Since then, the nearly 1,200 acres of land has been transformed by the Port into River’s Edge, a thriving mixed-use business mecca with new businesses locating on the property regularly.”
Diverse development includes a small business incubator, a martial arts training center, a YMCA, a child day care facility and the Blessing Basket Project (a not-for-profit organization) promoting the sale of baskets to aid the poorest communities in the world.
Local mayors could not be more pleased. Tyrone Echols, who served previously as Venice’s Mayor for 26 years is back in his elected position this year. “The Port is very important to Venice. I have fought hard to make things happen. They (Port District) have created many jobs for our citizens. The Port has created many good jobs and has contributed greatly to our local economy,” said Mayor Echols.
John Hamm III, Mayor of Madison, who grew up in Cahokia and moved to Madison once married, has been involved for many years. “The Port is unique. It has brought work to our people. The Port has been very active, and all of these things going on have added to the tax base of our city with just 5,000 residents,” said Hamm.
Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan said, “The Tri-City Port District has truly revolutionized the community, helping bring jobs to our neighbors and economic vitality to the area. Our region’s reputation for extraordinary transportation opportunities is due to their considerable efforts throughout the years.”
The Port has a very rich heritage. Visionaries started planning for the Port in the 1940s, and the first piece of property was acquired in 1960 with a land lease from the Corps of Engineers. In 1962, Velda Taylor joined the Port as assistant to Commander John L. Barron and became general manager of the Port for 42 years before retiring in 2004. As was often said, all decisions made by Taylor were based on the belief: “Whatever is best for the Port…”
She recalls working for Carl Ranft, who was at the helm of the Port District for 25 years. He became the Port’s second executive director in 1966, having served prior to that as director of the Port’s Board. Taylor recalls Ranft’s sure-handed leadership that led to the Port’s growth in relationships with many regional companies. In 1976, the Port celebrated the Bicentennial Anniversary of the United States by posting its first one million ton year of product to pass through the District.
The Tri-City Port District is poised for another 50 years of growth and prosperity. The leadership of its volunteer board, along with the professionalism of the staff and guidance of its Executive Director Bob Wydra will help them get there. |
