The state of Iowa is joining with Missouri and Illinois to pay for a study on what a “Port Authority” could mean for the region.Mike Fastenau is a team leader with the Iowa Department of Economic Development. He says the study will look at strengthening the three-state region’s position as a port-of-entry and a foreign trade zone. Fastenau says the Port Authority would focus on bringing material and merchandise into the region as well as getting Iowa products out.The study will cost 300-thousand dollars. 150-thousand will come from the U-S Army Corps of Engineers with each state contributing 50-thousand. Fastenau says Iowa’s portion is being divided between Economic Development and the Department of Transportation. The area in Iowa that will be highlighted in the study includes the following counties: Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Lee, Van Buren and Wapello. Preliminary results of the study are expected by the end of this year.
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