What is an Inland Port?
An inland port is a ‘Large Container Processing and Distribution’ hub. Products that are imported form other countries are shipped to the United States in large 40×20 containers and are often loaded with large diversity of foreign products for distribution to many different domestic companies. These containers have been secured in the home country and are coming into the United States through the “Port Authority”. An Inland Port would be required to be a “Customs Processing” center as well. Each of the containers would have to be opened, inspected and then separated for delivery to the various companies that have ordered product.

Why in Vigo County?
Vigo and Clay County are uniquely qualified to provide a very large “Inland Port” to serve nearly the entire Midwest. We have 8,000 acres of reclaimed land that is uniquely situated near Interstate 70, US 41, CSX Railroad Service and within miles (by Interstate) of Terre Haute’s Hulman International Airport. Hulman International Airport is currently under-utilized for an airport of it’s size.

History of the project, “How a House Bill is born”:
The idea for an Inland Port was first conceived during Mayor Kevin Burke’s administraton. Mr. Burke was interested in trying to move the CSX railroads out of the city of Terre Haute, and out to an area east of Terre Haute. While looking at the area to move the Railroad Track, it was noticed how uniquely accessible the area was. Mr. Burke got the attention of Indiana Representative Vern Tincher, and Clyde Kersey, and with the approval of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) began the process of putting together a team to put the plan in action. Clyde Kersey soon started up a bill (HB 1083) that quickly passed muster in committee, and then passed in the House of Representatives.

Quickly, many people were on board and excited about the project… that is everyone except the Port Authority. The bill was scheduled to go on as the first bill for vote when the Senate’s session started back up. The bill was unexpectedly pulled from vote because of an issue raised by the port authority based on the economic geography of the area. The bill never got to the floor in the senate.

Since the bill has been pulled from the floor, there has been some funding ($400,000) made available through another committee that is currently looking at the feasibility of moving the railroad tracks. The ability to get the railroads going through the area with rail switching yards available is critical to any success of the project.

At this time, the bill is not currently set to be voted for by the Senate. Representative Kersey said that for the project to move forward, the city of Terre Haute and the counties of Vigo and Clay would have to come together to make the project happen on their own.

Where do we go now?
There are people in the counties that are starting to look for some private funding to continue the studies needed to get the project started.