By Chris Taylor
Metropolis, IL – Illinois' General Assembly passed legislation yesterday to create the Massac-Metropolis Port District, hoping to create jobs and stimulate the local economy by taking advantage of the Ohio River's transportation network. The bill now goes to Governor Pat Quinn's desk to be signed into law. It will establish a seven-member board to oversee the development of a port facility in Massac County. Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel tells the Paducah Sun he thinks the port will at first be a land-to-water facility, loading barges via crane. He speculates the port will create 200-400 jobs within the next five years.