University News

Corn Belt Ports Consortium Designated 2026 Center of Excellence by MARAD

September 18, 2026

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — The Corn Belt Ports Rural Maritime & Logistics Training & Education Consortium has been designated a 2026 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD).

The designation recognizes the Consortium's role in aligning education, industry and rural communities to prepare workers for afloat, ashore and logistics careers essential to the national supply chain. It also underscores the Consortium's role in supporting the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway lock-and-dam corridors, which are critical components of the nation's freight system.

"Our Centers of Excellence provide the critical infrastructure to train the next generation of maritime workers and enhance our shipbuilding capabilities," Maritime Administration Administrator Stephen M. Carmel said.

Led by Western Illinois University, the Consortium brings together nine institutions: Black Hawk College, Carl Sandburg College, Culver-Stockton College, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Illinois Central College, John Wood Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Western Technical College.

"This designation is a significant milestone for Western Illinois University and our entire regional partnership," said Tara Feld, dean of the WIU College of Business and Health & Community Programs. "By bringing together community colleges, universities, industry leaders and public partners, we are creating educational pathways that prepare students for meaningful careers while addressing critical workforce needs across our region. This Consortium not only introduces students to career opportunities they may never have considered, but also helps ensure the inland maritime and logistics industries have the talent needed to keep our regional economy moving forward."

Together, the partners expand workforce training, strengthen career pathways and align educational programs with employer needs across inland ports, terminals, waterways, logistics and maritime-related industries.

"The MARAD Center of Excellence designation shines a national light on a four-state collaboration and the industries, ports, terminals, businesses, rural logistics and tourism that depend on the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway," Chris Smith, executive director of the Corn Belt Ports Rural Maritime & Logistics Training & Education Consortium said. "It strengthens the work already underway to align training and education with employer needs and support the workforce that powers the region's economy and the nation's supply chain. The Heart of the Corn Belt must have a world-class supply chain workforce to maintain our global competitiveness."

The Corn Belt Ports Rural Maritime & Logistics Training & Education Consortium is a multistate partnership spanning Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin. The Consortium focuses on river ports and terminals, inland waterways, multimodal freight, logistics and maritime-adjacent workforce development.

"ADM/ARTCo is proud to support the Corn Belt Ports Rural Maritime & Logistics Training & Education Consortium. The inland waterway system in the Heart of the Corn Belt is one of America's most critical freight corridors, and its future depends on a skilled maritime and logistics workforce. This Consortium strengthens the talent pipeline our shipyards, terminals and carriers rely on to keep agricultural and industrial commodities moving safely and competitively. MARAD's Center of Excellence designation underscores the importance of this effort, and ADM/ARTCo is committed to advancing the next generation of professionals who power the nation's inland supply chain," Jarred Huling, fleet manager, Clinton/Camanche, ARTCo – Ag Services & Oilseeds said.

The Consortium strengthens coordination among education, workforce and industry partners to enhance sector collaboration, expand stackable credentials and advance evidence-based strategies for afloat, ashore and logistics careers. The work ultimately supports the long-term resilience of the nation's inland maritime system.

"The MARAD CoE designation strengthens the workforce that supports the supply chains GROWMARK and the FS System cooperatives rely on across the Midwest. From grain handling and rural logistics to multimodal transportation and terminal operations, skilled professionals are essential to keeping agricultural products moving safely and efficiently. This Consortium builds the modern, employer-aligned training pathways our region needs to support farmers, cooperatives and the rural communities that depend on a reliable and competitive inland waterway system," Kirby Wagner, manager, Government Relations, GROWMARK Inc. said.

"Illinois Soy's 2050 Transportation Vision calls for resilient, efficient multimodal infrastructure. This CoE designation advances that vision by ensuring the workforce operating the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway is prepared to keep commodity flows strong for decades," Todd Main, director of Market Development, Illinois Soybean Association said.

"Illinois corn producers depend on efficient, reliable river transportation. The MARAD CoE designation helps ensure the workforce operating the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway is prepared to keep our commodity flows strong, competitive and moving to global markets," Jim Tarmann, managing director, Illinois Corn Marketing Board/Illinois Corn Growers Association said.

"A strong inland waterway workforce is essential to the future of Illinois agriculture. MARAD's CoE designation supports the training and skills needed to move farm products safely and efficiently, strengthening rural communities and the supply chain that serves them," Rodney Knittel, associate director of Transportation, Illinois Farm Bureau said.

For more information on Corn Belt Ports, contact Zimmerman at hm-zimmerman@wiu.edu or Chris Smith, PMP, at Chris.smith@cornbeltports.com.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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