Riverport Authority receives Corps permit FRANKFORT – The Department of the Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit for the Meade County Riverport Authority to construct a barge transloading facility on the left bank of the Ohio River at mile marker 645 near Brandenburg. The port facility will consist of 50 acres. Construction of the port facility will be integral in the continued development of the industrial park area. Issuance of the permit will allow the next phases of the project development. Completion of final engineering and design of the port facility and final development of the access road will be the next steps in implementing the project. The port facility is overseen by the Meade County Riverport Authority. The Authority consists of six board members and serves as the governing body of the port, conducting all business relevant to the development, operation and maintenance of the project. The Meade County Riverport Authority has partnered with Consolidated Grain and Barge, an international grain company, as the stevedore for the overall project. “Issuance of the Corps permit is an important next step for the development of the port in Meade County,” stated Don Bewley, chair of the Meade County Riverport Authority. The Authority has received several grants and funding appropriations for development of the overall project. Issuance of the permit was the last step in enabling funding sources to be utilized in final engineering and design and final development of the access road. This project will help farmers from Meade and surrounding counties – Breckinridge, Bullitt, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, Larue, Nelson and Washington. The commitment will allow farmers to increase their bottom line on commodities by reducing travel time and distance to the nearest commodity supporting port. Studies have shown establishment of the riverport will provide an estimated transportation savings of 8 to 12 cents per bushel for farmers. “Farmers will see a major impact on their transportation costs,” said Edd Pike, secretary/treasurer of the Meade County Riverport Authority. “Every cent saved in transportation will help the overall economic health of the agriculture industry for Meade County.” The port facility and industrial park helps to promote and foster economic development in the region. Job creation as the result of new industry at the riverport will allow for more dollars within the local economy. The riverport will be located within one of the richest grain production areas in the world and will greatly increase the accessibility to American and world markets. Completion of the project will increase commerce along our nation’s inland waterway and rail systems and incorporate Meade County in the most economic method of commerce transportation. “This is an exciting time and an exciting project for Meade County,” stated Meade County Magistrate Herbert Chism. “A project of this magnitude can only foster job growth and prosperity for Meade County.” For additional information regarding the Meade County Riverport Authority, contact Don Bewley at (502) 301-0700.
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