The Saint Paul Port Authority, an industrial redevelopment organization, uses creative, effective and financially sound methods and ideas to expand the tax base and create quality job opportunities.

We were formed as a direct result of a decision by the U.S. Congress in the 1920s to dredge a 9-foot channel in the Mississippi River between Saint Paul and New Orleans. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged the channel and the lock and dam system was born.

With the transfer from the city to the Port Authority of Barge Terminal 1 in 1932, the Port began managing the commodities transfer throughout 2.1 miles of the Saint Paul Harbor. The Port continues to manage four Mississippi River terminals that serve as a commodities hub for grain, oil seeds, fertilizers, scrap steel, coal and gravel, among other things. In 2008 for example, more than 9 million tons of commodities passed through the Saint Paul harbor. Minnesota’s inland water transportation industry directly generates more than 1,200 jobs and nearly $5 million in payroll taxes to the federal and state governments.

While we maintain our historic roots in promoting commerce along the Mississippi River, we also strive to create livable wage jobs. Whether we are cleaning up polluted land, providing expansion financing or job training, the Port fulfills its mission for Saint Paul and the East Metro.

Riverview Business Center, built in 1962, was our first redevelopment project inland under expanded powers from the Minnesota Legislature to redevelop industrial lands for economic development purposes, with 18 more to follow. A year later, we established our first industrial financing plan, allowing us to acquire recreational property. And, in 2002, we received legislative approval to purchase land when the end use is open space.

We may, after public input, create development districts within our area of jurisdiction and make public improvements. We also can acquire and lease or sell land and buildings for industrial and other economic uses. And we can construct, lease or sell industrial, commercial and other revenue-producing projects, enter into revenue agreements for financing, and issue revenue bonds.