[custom_frame_right][/custom_frame_right]

[May 15, 2017]

INDIANAPOLIS – The Ports of Indiana is celebrating “Infrastructure Week” with the release of the 2017 Indiana Logistics Directory, an annual publication that highlights Indiana’s robust transportation infrastructure and freight logistics services. The Directory reports that Indiana ranks among the top five states in 27 logistics-related categories and in the top 10 in 100. Published by the Ports of Indiana, it highlights Indiana’s extensive cargo-handling resources as well as national logistics rankings, multimodal maps and critical freight statistics.

Here are a few facts from the 2017 Indiana Logistics Directory:

• Indiana ranks first in pass-through interstates and rail shipments of primary metals, and is home to the nation’s largest producer of truck trailers.
• The Hoosier state is also home to the median center of the U.S. population, boasts the second largest FedEx Express hub in the world and has the country’s second largest barge fleet operator.
• Indiana also ranks third in both freight railroads and truck tractor registrations, and 11^th in total waterborne shipping.

Infrastructure Week is a national week of education and advocacy that brings together American businesses, workers, elected leaders, and everyday citizens around one message: It’s #TimeToBuild. From May 15-19, leaders and citizens around America will highlight the state of our nation’s infrastructure – roads, bridges, rail, ports, airports, water and sewer systems, the energy grid, and more – and encourage policymakers to invest in the projects, technologies, and policies necessary to make America competitive, prosperous, and safe. Infrastructure Week was founded and is led by its Steering Committee – a bipartisan team with more than 150 affiliates from leading business groups, elected officials, labor unions and think tanks working to improve America’s infrastructure.

“The Logistics Directory tells the important story of Indiana’s robust transportation infrastructure which provides major logistical advantages for all modes of transportation and serves as the backbone of our economy,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper. “Our state is well-known for its central location and vast land-based transportation resources, but it also has significant maritime resources. Even with only 43 miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan, Indiana accounts for 40 percent of the U.S. economic activity related to Great Lakes shipping and ranks first in maritime employment on the Great Lakes. While also connected to the Ohio River, Indiana ranks sixth in domestic waterborne shipping and is home to the nation’s sixth largest inland port district in Mount Vernon.”

A key feature of the Directory is a section of transportation maps for North America and Indiana that shows major highways, railroads, ports and airports. In addition to rankings for 100 logistics categories, the publication has nearly 1,000 business listings as well as logistics data for freight traffic, employment, NAFTA trade and all transportation modes. It has become a go-to resource for media, government, educators and economic development officials in search of logistics data. The 2017 Directory may be viewed online at indianalogistics.com. To receive a free copy by mail, contact Lauren Edsall at 317.232.9205 or ledsall@portsofindiana.com.

Infrastructure Week Events in Indianapolis

Below are a few events taking place in Indianapolis during “Infrastructure Week”:

• Monday, May15: 2017 Indiana Logistics Directory released (online edition)
• Tuesday, May 16: Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb to address Port Commissioners from the Western Hemisphere during the American Association of Port Authorities Seminar at The Westin (agenda)
• Wednesday, May 17: American Association of Port Authorities Seminar continues at The Westin featuring top national maritime leaders (agenda)
• Wednesday, May 17: Ports of Indiana hosts Maritime Meeting with Associate Administrator for Intermodal Development, U.S. Maritime Administration (information)
• Thursday, May 18: Ports of Indiana and AAPA host national leaders for “Influencers Roundtable” bringing together transportation, business and government leaders to discuss major infrastructure issues facing the U.S. (information) 

About the Ports of Indiana: The Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority managing three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Established in 1961, the Ports of Indiana is a self-funded enterprise dedicated to growing Indiana’s economy by developing and maintaining a world-class port system. Information: www.portsofindiana.com.

Media contact: Rich Allen, 317.232.9204, rallen@portsofindiana.com