University News

WIU Forms Partnership With Corn Belt Ports: Ribbon Cutting Announcement Oct. 19

October 18, 2023

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MOLINE, IL - - The Western Illinois University and Quad Cities communities are invited to attend a special announcement tomorrow, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19 on the Quad Cities campus on the skywalk between Buildings A and B of the QC Complex.

The announcement will unveil a partnership between the Corn Belt Ports' (CBP) and a new regional office for the Upper Mississippi River Ports (IL & IA) that will be located on the WIU-QC campus.

The purpose of the office is to promote sustainable, multi-purpose use of the Upper Mississippi River, protect the integrity of our supply chain, be a focal point for advancing the development of a regional, port-based economic development cluster and ensure the region is making needed climate-informed adjustments to its existing man-made and natural water resources infrastructure.

This is the newest of four regional Corn Belt Ports offices. The ceremony will take place at WIU Quad Cities Campus on the skywalk between Buildings A and B of the QC Complex (3200 River Dr, Moline, IL 61265). Attendees can park in the West University Drive lot and enter QC Complex A near the library.

"WIU is excited to partner with the Corn Belt Ports to support environmental stewardship, enhanced transportation logistics and community and economic development across the entire CBP region," WIU Director for the Institute for Environmental Studies and Environmental Studies Chair Roger Viadero said. "Having the CBP office in the Quad Cities located on WIU's campus is one example of the ways we work collectively to reduce barriers to collaboration. This is a win for WIU, its students, faculty and the Quad Cities community!"

The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will include the following agenda: 10:30 a.m., gather and greet, 10:35 a.m., opening remarks by Col. Robert Sinkler of Corn Belt Ports, and WIU Dean for Innovation and Economic Development and Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Chris Merritt, Viadero, WIU Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management Honey Zimmerman; 10:45 a.m., remarks by invited guests, senior elected officials or their representatives, Port District and Port Commission representatives, federal agencies, state agencies, regional leaders and community leaders; 11:15 a.m., ribbon cutting ceremony; and 11:15 a.m., reception and walking tour of WIU's beautiful Riverfront campus.

For more information on the partnership, visit riversideglobal.co/corn-belt-ports.

Posted By: Lexi Dittmar (aj-dittmar@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing