CAIRO — A total of $1 million in capital funding has been released for the proposed river port terminal in Cairo, signaling a key investment in the future economic development of Southern Illinois.

According to a press release from State Sen. Dale Fowler’s office, appropriated as part of the current FY 2019 state budget, the $1 million will be used to fund permitting, engineering, and design costs for the port terminal.

Fowler says this funding is a commitment to a project that is critical to the people of Cairo and surrounding communities, demonstrating that the state is invested in working to revitalize the area. Fowler added that he is encouraged to see these funds go toward a project that will bring jobs, prosperity and opportunities to the region.

Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, the proposed location for the river port terminal is ideally situated. The port will also create a unique land-accessible transportation hub as the terminal would be situated next to the Canadian National Railroad running from Chicago to New Orleans and near three major Illinois interstates.

According to the Alexander-Cairo Port District, over a dozen companies have expressed interest in the port project. Having received these funds, the project will move forward with all capital funding to be expended by June 30, 2019 and permitting expected to be completed within 24 months.