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Last week, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill into law that creates the Alexander-Cairo Port District, which aims to promote economic development in southern Illinois by creating new foreign trade and intermodal opportunities.

The legislation authorizes the port district to oversee, operate and maintain port-related facilities and export trade companies within the district’s boundaries. The port district will be managed by a seven-member board.

A port district and intermodal facility will help elevate the economy of Alexander County and the surrounding area, Quinn said in a prepared statement.

Cairo is “well-positioned to take advantage of increased shipping activity that is expected as a result of the establishment of the new district" because the city is located on an inland river system at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and near rail lines and Interstate 57, he said.