Minnesota Ports Association (MPA)

Waterways are the most efficient and environmentally friendly mode of freight transportation. Waterborne commerce uses less energy, causes less environmental degradation and generates less waste than other modes of commercial transport. There are fewer accidents and the least amount of societal disruption when goods are transported by water.

The MPA was established in 1994 to secure financial participation in maintaining and improving the inland river and Great Lakes port facilities in Minnesota.

embership of the MPA is comprised of the five public ports in the state: Duluth, Winona, Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Red Wing.

To date, over 10.5 million of State Port Development Assistance Program dollars through the Minnesota Department of Transportation have been used on projects among the five river and lake port areas to rehabilitate and improve terminal efficiency and safety.

The MPA seeks legislative support for ongoing state funding to ensure that port facilities remain an economically viable and efficient method of transporting cargo to and from market.