Late last week, U.S. Reps. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, and Joe Donnelly, D-2nd, joined 11 colleagues in the House in urging the Department of Defense (DOD) in a letter to consider utilizing the Great Lakes ports as waterborne cargo returns from Iraq.

“This is a perfect example of how the federal government can utilize one of the nation's greatest maritime resources to enhance economic opportunities in the Midwest and spur economic growth,” Visclosky said. “Last year alone, shipping along Lake Michigan's shoreline generated $14 billion of economic activity and created 104,000 jobs, yet there is still capacity available. I am happy to join my colleagues in urging the Department of Defense to maximize its use of the Great Lakes and its very capable workforce.”

“As we complete our transition out of Iraq and continue efforts to increase jobs in our region, I joined my colleagues in writing this letter because the Great Lakes ports have the capacity for additional traffic,” Donnelly said. “Military cargo shipments to ports such as the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor would be a welcome economic boost to Indiana and the Great Lakes region. We have the rail, road, and air transportation resources—in addition to an able workforce—available to transport the cargo once it arrives back on our shores.”