April 30, 2021 By Waterways Journal
Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville will receive more than 30 barges by June 30 destined for a cement plant undergoing a $600 million expansion.
Lehigh Cement Inc. is shipping large pieces of cargo to the port destined for its facility in Mitchell, Ind., nearly 50 miles away. More than 350 pieces of equipment and plant parts, some as large as 100 tons, are being shipped by barge via the inland river system to Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville, according to a news release from the port.
“We are pleased to play a key role in a local project that will have a huge impact on the community and region,” Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville Port Director Jeff Miles said. “Our port has enabled the competitive economics that are only available by using the inland river system, which is an important component to the national freight system, particularly for bulk commodities.”
April 21, 2021 By Shelley Byrne
Phil Wilzbacher, the longest serving port director in the Ports of Indiana’s 60-year history, is retiring effective April 20.
Wilzbacher, 62, is retiring after 19 years of service at the Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon facility.
“Nineteen years,” he said. “Great memories. What a fantastic ride!”
Wilzbacher didn’t have a family connection to the river. Instead, he grew up on a dairy farm near Fort Branch, Ind. His introduction to the river industry came about through his familiarity with agriculture, however. He worked his way up from a laborer at a grain elevator to eventually managing operations at various grain companies before transitioning into marketing and business development for two different short-line railroads.