Northern Grain Belt Ports
Northern Grain Belt Ports
Riverside Global teamed with the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission and regional stakeholders to establish and operationalize the Northern Grain Belt Ports (NGBP).
The Waterborne Commerce Statistic Center approved, on 8 December 2022, the Northern Grain Belt Ports (NGBP) (WI & MN) application to be federally recognized as a Port Statistical Area. The NGBP application was prepared and submitted to the U.S. Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center in less than 90 days and included resolutions from 11 Riverfront counties, and 5 port cities; plus letters of support from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, 13 Wisconsin and Minnesota agriculture organizations and the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission.
The NGBP is the 4th and newest regional Corn Belt Ports.
The NGBP coordinating effort is focused on promoting economic development in the Upper Mississippi River region. The NGBP team also works with regional stakeholders to ensure ecosystem maintenance, aquatic habitat restoration and long-term environmental sustainability, as well as preserving and improving water quality in the Mississippi River watershed.
Our Measures of Success:
Increase Port Region tonnage (economic value of goods);
Bring in additional / increased (Federal, State and Non-Profit Organization) investment measured in dollars;
Create new and / or expand existing waterborne commerce and river-related companies, businesses and industries (includes things like ecotourism);
Increase and / or improve aquatic habitat which is measured in acres or river mile connectivity;
Reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions (measured in tons) by moving more freight to the waterways.
Meet the Riverside team. We are dedicated professionals committed to solving our most complex water resources challenges
Upper Mississippi River System
In 1986, Congress designated the Upper Mississippi River System (which consists of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and several important tributaries) as both a nationally significant ecosystem and a nationally significant navigation system. It is the only inland river system in the United States to have such a designation. As a result, the Corn Belt Ports (which includes the Northern Grain Belt Ports) have a major environmental component. Ecosystem maintenance and restoration, as well as preserving and improving water quality are an important, routine focus of the Corn Belt Ports. The Corn Belt Ports are one of the few ports in the U.S. that have a dedicated PhD in environmental science supporting the effort.
Northern Grain Belt Ports Resources
This section provides resources to inform and assist Northern Grain Belt Ports stakeholders to advance economic and ecosystem restoration agendas to support rural, urban and inland ports and marinas development.
The Waterways Journal: Corn Belt Ports Expand, Fourth Corn Belt Port Federally Listed (13 January 2023) (Link)
The Waterways Journal: New ‘Northern Grain Belt’ Statistical Port Project Advances (13 May 22) (Link)
AAPA Seaport Advisory: The Northern Grain Belt Project (26 May 22) (Link)
National Waterways Council: Federal Recognition of the Northern Grain Belt Ports Coming Soon. (2 Jun 22) (Link)
Capitol Currents: Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission to Follow Corn Belt Ports, Form Major Port Region (24 Jun 22) (Link)
The Waterways Journal: Northern Grain Belt Port District Submits Consolidation Request (8 July 22) (Link)
The Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin. TDA Newsletter: 10/28/22 TDA Podcast: Promoting the Mississippi River & the Northern Grain Belt Port Statistical Area (Link)
Northern Grain Belt Ports Information Paper 21 April 2022 (Link)
Northern Grain Belt Ports Initial Brief (Link)
Northern Grain Belt Ports Score Card (Link)
La Crosse Area Planning Committee Letter of Support for the Northern Grain Belt Ports (Link)
Minnesota and Wisconsin Agriculture Organizations Letter of Support (Link)
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Letter of Support (Link)
Minnesota Department of Transportation Letter of Support (Link)
Corn Belt Ports Media Release #1 (9 Oct 2020) (Link)
Corn Belt Ports Media Release #2 (28 Oct 2020) (Link)
Corn Belts Ports Media Release #3 (4 Jan 2021) (Link)
Corn Belt Ports Media Release #4 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (9 Nov 2021) (Link)
Corn Belt Ports Media Release #5: Corn Belt Ports Growth Continues and Two Make Top 50 Principal U.S. Ports List (15 Dec 2021) (Link)
Corn Belt Ports Media Release #6: Corn Belt Ports Catch $1.24 Billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), More is Expected (2 Feb 2022): (Link)
Corn Belt Ports Media Release #7: Corn Belt Ports Attract $35 Million in Port Investments more expected from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Link)
Corn Belt Ports Media Release #8: Corn Belt Ports Continue to See New Investment After Being Federally Recognized in 2020 and 2021 (June 7, 2022) (Link)
Corn Belt Ports Media Release #9: Corn Belt Ports Expand. The Northern Grain Belt Ports are Federally Approved and
Now Join the List of Regional Ports in the Heart of the Corn Belt Going in to 2023 (January 5, 2023) (Link)
US Army Corps of Engineers: Upper Mississippi River System Program Overview
Upper Mississippi River System
ASCE’s 2022 Infrastructure Report Card
Illinois Infrastructure | ASCE’s 2022 Infrastructure Report Card
Missouri Infrastructure | ASCE’s 2018 Infrastructure Report Card
Iowa Infrastructure | ASCE’s 2019 Infrastructure Report Card
Wisconsin Infrastructure | ASCE’s 2020 Infrastructure Report Card
Minnesota Infrastructure | ASCE’s 2022 Infrastructure Report Card
Watershed Report Card | America’s Watershed Initiative (americaswatershed.org)
Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program FY22 Construction Ready Projects
Navigation Assets Inventory for the Upper Mississippi River System. It is an interactive map that features ports, terminals, boat accesses, and other navigation-related information. It allows users to search for intermodal access with a certain dock type or storage capacity. (Link)