Bloomington, Ill. – November 10, 2026 – In the most recent annual report released by the U.S. Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center, two Corn Belt Ports regions took top honors for showing some of the highest growth rates in the inland waterway port system.
The Corn Belt Ports are the four federally recognized rural, regional ports on the Upper Mississippi River and the Illinois River.
The Mid-America Port Commission (IL, MO, IA), established in 1999, was ranked as the 40th largest port in the U.S., and saw a 15.2% growth in freight tonnage during the 2024 reporting year (published 2026). This is the highest growth rate for any large (Top 50) U.S. Inland Port.
The Illinois Waterway Ports Commission established in 2023, and now reported as a port statistical area, saw a 5.9% increase in freight tonnage, the largest increase of any port statistical area in the U.S.
In the report, the Upper Mississippi River (Marine Highway 35) saw a 4.2% increase, and the Illinois River (Marine Highway 55 NORTH) saw a 1.2% increase in freight tonnage overall
The Corn Belt Ports are four special districts of government or official government collaborations that protect the integrity of Corn Belt’s supply chain and make the heart of the Corn Belt more competitive in serving global markets and attracting needed infrastructure investment.
They are the recognized by the U.S. Congress as the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway System. The Corn Belt Ports consist of the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission, the Mid-America Port Commission, the Upper Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, and the Northern Grain Belt Ports.
“Partnerships like the Corn Belt Ports are critical for spreading awareness about the need to invest in infrastructure improvements in our locks and dams,” said Todd Main, Director of Market Development, Illinois Soybean Association. “Since the majority of Illinois soybeans are exported out of Illinois, having a reliable port system is an important piece of our transportation toolbox.”
“In 2019 alone, the Corn Belt Ports collectively handled 96 million tons of cargo on the Upper Mississippi River and the Illinois Waterway System,” said Robert Sinkler, Executive Director & Founder of Corn Belt Ports. “Protecting the competitiveness, sustainability, resilience and integrity of the supply chain is why we exist as an organization, and seeing the growth in freight tonnage in the Corn Belt Port regions reinforces this mission.”
Recently, The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $498 million investment to modernize America’s ports across 19 states, including Illinois. Projects in Peoria, Morris and Rock Island are slated to receive more than $30 million in funding. Recently, The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $498 million investment to modernize America’s ports across 19 states, including Illinois. Projects in Peoria, Morris and Rock Island are slated to receive more than $30 million in funding. For more information about the investments, visit maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants.
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The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and government relations efforts, while the membership program, Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) and the Illinois Soybean Growers PAC actively advocates for positive and impactful legislation for farmers at local, state and national levels. ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean farmers through promotion, advocacy, research and education with the vision of becoming a trusted partner of Illinois soybean farmers to ensure their profitability now and for future generations. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org and www.ilsoygrowers.com.
The Corn Belt Ports are four distinct rural regional units of government (or official government collaborations) with federal recognition teaming to advance common economic and environmental sustainability objectives. They are county-based, long, linear, rural, multimodal transportation features compatible with existing regional planning agency, and regional economic development organization boundaries. They are located on the Upper Mississippi River (Marine Highway 35) and the Illinois River (Marine Highway 55 NORTH) inside the Lock and Dam System (Specifically, the Congressionally designated Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway System). The four Corn Belt Ports Regions consist of the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission, the Mid-America Port Commission (IL, MO, IA), the Upper Mississippi River Ports of Iowa and Illinois, and the Northern Grain Belt Ports (WI, MN). They are characterized as jurisdictional, modern, sustainable, rural, regional, multimodal, inland, partnership ports.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Betsy Osman
Illinois Soybean Association
betsy.osman@ilsoy.org
Chris Smith
Corn Belt Ports
chris.smith@cornbeltports.com
