Posted on July 7, 2021
Indiana’s port system contributes $8.2 billion a year to the state’s economy, a 5% increase from the last study five years ago.
The Ports of Indiana, the Indianapolis-based port authority, commissioned a study by Martin Associates that found the state’s three ports support 51,000 jobs and $552 million in tax revenue. Indiana has two ports along the Ohio River along its southern border with Kentucky and the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan, which conducts international trade via the St. Lawrence Seaway that links the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.
The overall maritime industry generates $27 billion in economic revenue and supports 157,000 jobs, the study found.
“Maritime plays a large part in our state’s economy,” Ports of Indiana CEO Vanta Coda II said. “2021 looks to be another strong year and we hope to see international shipments grow. Transportation is all about bigger, better, faster. That’s always our goal.”
In 2019, Indiana’s three ports handled an estimated 16.4 million tons of cargo. Longshoremen unloaded many different commodities, such as iron ore, steel, coal, road salt, fertilizer, grain, soybean, beer tanks and wind turbines.
The Ports of Indiana plans to invest $50 million in infrastructure over the next few years, including $28 million at the deepwater Port of Burns Harbor in Porter County. The quasi-governmental port system manages 2,800 acres, where more than 75 privately owned companies operate, and is looking to find developers for 900 acres of additional land.
“Simply put, Ports of Indiana is a long-time supporter of Indiana and will continue to play a vital role in supporting our state’s economy, jobs, tax resources and their respective communities,” Vanta said.
