It’s not every day a city administrator and a tugboat captain attend the same business event, but that was the case at the inaugural Marine Highway 35 Workshop June 25 in Moline, Illinois. Hosted by the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association (UMWA) at Western Illinois University’s Riverfront Campus, the workshop brought together river industry and municipal leaders to discuss the working Upper Mississippi River and investment opportunities for river communities. 

Speakers and panelists covered grant and funding opportunities, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers infrastructure priorities, commerce on the river, port project success stories and workforce pathways in maritime transportation. With such a broad agenda, attendees left with a better understanding of topics beyond their own work and plenty of opportunities to network across sectors. 

“Most people seemed to have an interest in the topics they weren’t involved in,”  said Gary Williams, UMWA executive director. “And everyone seemed to say, ‘I learned quite a few things.’” 

The Commerce on the River panel with Todd Main of the Illinois Soybean Association and UMWA Secretary Brandon Phillips with Riverview Companies offered perspective on U.S. markets and exports. 

“Municipalities don’t often get to hear about shifting markets or exports, so they’re not exposed to much of that,” Williams said. 

A panel moderated by Travis Black of the U.S. Maritime Administration highlighted Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) funding with economic development and port authority representatives sharing how PIDP-supported projects have benefited their communities.  

Together, the discussions reinforced a common message: The river is not just a scenic and ecologically important resource, but a vital economic engine that depends on coordination, investment and continued advocacy. 

After the formal agenda, attendees took to the water for a barge tour led by UMWA Vice President Randy Carmichael of Upper Mississippi Fleeting. The tour journeyed through a lock, giving attendees a firsthand look at some of the businesses that rely on the river. 

Upper Mississippi Fleeting also served as a sponsor for the event, along with Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, Riverview Companies, AMI Consulting Engineers and J.F. Brennan Company. 

Pictures from the event can be viewed at this link.