Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
The idea might sound little bit like a fish out of water, but Sidney and Cheyenne County have some of the characteristics to be home of one of the first inland port authorities
Adams Industries is seeking designation as an Inland Port Authority (IPA).
Kim Matthews, Business Development Manager at Adams Industries, met with the Cheyenne County Commissioners and the Sidney City Council for support of Adams Industries receiving Inland Port Authority designation.
An Inland Port Authority is a subdivision of the state government allowed to process imported and exported good, bypassing seaports and freight clusters. In May 2021, the Nebraska Legislature has authorized up to five Inland Port Authorities, according the May 19, 2021 edition of Unicameral Update. LB156, introduced by Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, says an IPA may be established in a metropolitan, primary or first class city, or a county with a population of 20,000 or more.
An eligible location must also meet at least two of four criteria: one mile of navigable river or waterway, one mile of a major rail line, two miles of a major airport or two miles of any federal interstate or any four-lane divided highway. An IPA must also be at least 300 acres in area.
LB156 authorizes an IPA to engage in marketing activities, issue and sell revenue bonds and acquire rights-of-way and property.
A first class city is defined by the State of Nebraska as a city having a population between 5,000 and 100,000.
“We have some of the busiest interstates and rails (in Nebraska), would be able to compete better,” Matthews said to the commissioners.
She described it as a hybrid between government and business with the focus of becoming for-profit.
She added the Inland Port Authority concept is pretty new around the world.The State of Nebraska plans to designate five locations across the state as IPAs.
She told the city council there wouldn't be a lot of interaction between the city and council. The role of the city, and the county, is support of Adams Industries' effort to be designated an IPA.
Matthews presentation lists Interstates 80, 76 and 25 as nearby interstates, and Highways 30 and 385 as close secondary highways.
The Adams Industries campus is also served by the Union Pacific and the Burlington North Santa Fe (BNSF) railroads.
The city council approved pursuing an Inland Port Authority.
The only Foreign Trade Zone in central and western Nebraska is on the Adams Industries campus.
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