SPRINGFIELD, IL- The Illinois Senate voted today to create the Massac-Metropolis Port District today, a move that should help bring jobs and economic development to Southern Illinois. "Creating this port district will put people in Southern Illinois to work," said State Sen. Gary Forby, the measure’s chief sponsor. "The port district will need employees to operate its facilities. It will put people to work building the facilities, and it will support jobs all over the region by helping increase trade."

The Massac-Metropolis Port District will have the authority to manage a port on the Ohio River and an airport in Massac County. To build and maintain these facilities, it will be able to issue bonds, take out loans from banks, and levy certain taxes (which must be approved by voter referenda). The district will also be able to create and participate in tax-exempt export trading companies.

"The port district will be a good thing for all of Southern Illinois...""The port district will be a good thing for all of Southern Illinois," Forby added. "It will make it easier for companies all over the region to export their products to foreign countries. We’ll be able to ship our coal and farm products all over the world at lower prices. When more companies do business with Illinois, everyone benefits."

The district will be managed by a seven person board. The mayors of Metropolis, Joppa, and Brookport will each get to appoint one board member, and the governor will appoint the rest.

"I think it’s important that all the communities of Massac County are involved in setting up and managing this port district," Forby said. "They will all experience economic development from the new facilities, and they should all have a say in how they’re operated."

The legislation creating the port district is Senate Bill 2106. It has passed both Houses of the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.