The Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority continues to play a vital role in connecting Western Kentucky to international markets and driving the region’s economic growth.
Executive Director Amanda Davenport, a familiar face in Caldwell County, was the guest speaker at the Princeton Rotary Club’s meeting on Tuesday. Known for her previous leadership with the Lake Barkley Partnership of Economic Development, Davenport brought her signature enthusiasm while sharing insights from her years of fostering regional growth and a positive economic impact.
Davenport displayed a map of the Eddyville Riverport, highlighting its 300 acres, of which 30 are currently developed. She shared that there are ambitious plans to expand and further develop the port.
click to download audioShe explained that the expansion is important because activity at the port continues to increase, and tenants are seeing growing volumes of commodities moving through the facility.
click to download audioAccording to Davenport, the main commodities moved through the port include wheat, a little bit of canola, white corn, yellow corn, and soybeans.
They also work with Agri-Chem, a fertilizer company based in Hopkinsville.
click to download audioAdditionally, Davenport noted that the Riverport includes Paducah Barge, which builds and leases barges to customers, and there are two tourism-based businesses specializing in boat repairs. She emphasized the wide variety of customers supporting different industries and mentioned that as the Eddyville Riverport continues to grow, it has essentially reached capacity.
Davenport explained that the Eddyville Riverport operates as a special-purpose local government under the City of Eddyville, allowing it to apply for state and federal grants.
click to download audioFurthermore, Davenport also said they have been awarded a $2 million matching grant to construct a spec building at the Industrial Park, with construction set to begin this fall. She emphasized that these grants and projects are aimed at growing the local economy, attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and enabling more people to live and work in a community they love.
Davenport also answered questions from Rotarians on topics such as how the port and barges operate and the port’s role in the agriculture community. Your News Edge will have more coverage on these issues in the coming days.
