Eddyville Riverport: Building Kentucky’s Future in Global Trade
Eddyville Riverport: Building Kentucky’s Future in Global Trade
While major deep-water ports are extremely important in global trade, river ports – such as the Eddyville Riverport in Kentucky – form the backbone of the US port system. The Eddyville Riverport is the only active public port on the Cumberland River and Lake Barkley, serving as a critical gateway not only for Western Kentucky but for national and international markets.
“For Kentucky, inland ports are a cornerstone of competitiveness and growth,” said Amanda Davenport, executive director of the Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority. “They serve as essential connectors, aggregating regional freight and channeling it efficiently into the national river network and on to deep-water ports.”
The Eddyville Riverport, which owns both the port facility and the Eddyville Industrial Park, serves regional industries by allowing them access to national and international markets. The port provides businesses across multiple sectors – including construction, chemicals, and agriculture – direct access to global supply chains. Its grain-handling capabilities strengthen the region’s farming industry while creating downstream economic benefits.
The Port’s economic impact reaches far beyond Lyon County. It brings jobs, investments, and supply chains to Western Kentucky and plugs “directly into the broader inland waterway system that moves more than $18 billion worth of goods across the state each year,” said Davenport.
In addition to regional support, riverports like Eddyville Riverport are poised to play a major role in U.S. manufacturing as reshoring picks up steam.
“Eddyville offers immediate highway access, rail connections via the Paducah & Louisville short line at the industrial park, and barge capacity – giving companies multiple cost-effective, resilient shipping options,” Davenport said. “This multimodal advantage makes Eddyville a natural choice for new and expanding manufacturers.”
Several major developments are already positioning the Riverport for long-term growth. A 60,000-square-foot speculative building is under construction in the Eddyville Industrial Park to attract advanced manufacturers and suppliers. “In addition, active land acquisition projects at both the Riverport and the Industrial Park are positioning the region for future expansion and new opportunities,” Davenport said.
A federally funded inlet expansion will also help the Port “streamline dry bulk handling, while a mooring dolphin project will increase barge staging capacity,” according to Davenport.
“With its unique combination of water, rail, and road access, the Eddyville Riverport is not just a regional asset but a national one, linking Kentucky’s industries to global markets, supporting sustainable logistics, and positioning the state for future economic growth,” Davenport said.