© 2024 WYSO
Our Community. Our Nation. Our World.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Tri-state partnership suggested for Ohio River

Firesign

IRONTON, Ohio (AP) - Lawmakers and others invested in southern Ohio's economy say the state should work with neighboring Kentucky and West Virginia to help the region realize the shipping potential of the Ohio River.

Patrick Donovan of the Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute tells The Columbus Dispatch the tri-state area needs a port authority that competes globally.

Bill Dingus of the Lawrence Economic Development Corp. says the river system moves 63 million tons of commodities valued at $7.4 billion to, from and within Ohio. He says that just scratches the surface of the river's potential.

He and Donovan anticipate the river could get more business with a major Panama Canal expansion scheduled for completion by 2014.

State Rep. Terry Johnson also encourages regional partnerships.  The Republican from McDermott says Ohio has neglected the river's potential.

(Information in the following story is from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com )

Stories from the Associated Press.