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WHERE THE RIVER MOVES BUSINESS
Spencer County’s Ohio River location provides a strong multimodal platform for business growth. With direct access to river, rail, and highway, companies can reach Midwestern and Southern markets within a single day. The county’s river frontage from mile marker 743.8 to 747.0 supports active barge movement and will expand further with the Superior Ag Terminal opening in 2025.
Strategic overland connections strengthen this advantage. Four-lane US-231 links directly to I-64, and dual rail service from Hoosier Southern and Indiana Southern gives industries reliable transport options. Ongoing investments in utilities and broadband ensure companies have the infrastructure needed to operate efficiently and plan for long-term growth.
WORKING RIVER, REAL TERMINALS
Spencer County’s riverfront hosts multiple operational and developing terminals that keep products moving efficiently.
THE REAL ADVANTAGE
Rockport River Terminal
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River Mile: 743.8
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Operator: Rockport River Terminals, Inc.
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Primary Use: General River Terminal; Truck/Bulk Handling
Superior Ag Fertilizer Terminal
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River Mile: 743.8
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Superior Ag
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32,000-ton Fertilizer Distribution; Unit-Train/Barge. Transload
AEP Rockport Plant Dock
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River Mile: 744.8
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Indiana Michigan Power
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Coal/Fuel Dock
ADM Grain – Rockport
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River Mile: 746.4
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ADM
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Grain Elevator and River Loading Facility
Mulzer Rockport Depot
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River Mile: 747.0
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Mulzer Crushed Stone, Inc.
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Aggregates and Construction Materials
Owensboro Riverport Authority
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River Mile: 759.0
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Ownesboro Riverport Authority
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Rail-Served Public Port (CSX), FTZ#9 Benefits
Rail That Meets
the River
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Hoosier Southern Railroad: Connects the Ohio River to Norfolk Southern at Lincoln City, ideal for barge-to-rail freight.
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Indiana Southern Railroad (G&W): 286k-rated regional service with interchanges to CSX and NS, supporting large-scale industrial logistics.
Highway Access You Can Bank On
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US-231 (William H. Natcher Bridge): Four-lane north-south freight corridor linking directly to Owensboro and I-64.
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I-64: Fast east-west connection between St. Louis and Louisville.
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Togerher, these routes shorten time-to-market and keep freight moving when single mode routes face disruption.
Strategic River Locations & Assets
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Reliable industrial water supply from the Ohio River.
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Flood-protected elevations with levee improvements.
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Industrial-grade intake potential and existing utility corridors.
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Streamlined IDEM permitting for river-served development.
Energy Reliability & Industrial Capacity
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Heavy-duty electrical infrastructure from historic AEP Rockport operations.
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Available transmission capacity and renewable-energy potential (solar, hydrogen, net gen grid).
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Low industrial energy costs, among the most competitive in the Midwest.
Workforce & Education Pipeline
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120,000+ workers within 45 minutes across Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky.
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Training through Ivy Tech and Owensboro Community & Technical College.
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Supported by Next Level Jobs and REDI workforce programs.
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Access to Foreign-Trade Zone #9 through Owensboro Riverport.
Sites, Utilities & Permitting
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Industrial sites with direct access to I-64, US-231, and the Ohio River.
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Countywide broadband and modern utilities with competitive rates.
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Business-friendly permitting—Indiana ranks top-10 nationally.
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Access to Foreign-Trade Zone #9 through Owensboro Riverport.
Emerging Potential: Data & Advanced Manufacturing
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Unlimited non-potable water for cooling or processing.
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Existing power + fiber corridors for hyperscale or industrial innovation.
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Low seismic risk, mild climate, and available land.
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Incentives and TIF tools available through the Spencer County EDA.
Quality of Place
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Work and lifestyle connect seamlessly in Spencer County.
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Affordable housing and short commutes.
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Strong communities like Rockport and Santa Claus.
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Access to Owensboro’s healthcare, airport, and entertainment.
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Nearby attractions: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Lincoln State Park, and river recreation.
Owensboro, KY
30 Minutes
Evansville, IN
50 Minutes
Louisville, KY
60 Minutes
Nashville, TN
2.5 Hours
Cincinnati, OH
3 Hours
Indianapolis, IN
3 Hours
Sites, Utilities & Permitting
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Industrial sites with direct access to I-64, US-231, and the Ohio River.
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Countywide broadband and modern utilities with competitive rates.
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Business-friendly permitting—Indiana ranks top-10 nationally.
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Access to Foreign-Trade Zone #9 through Owensboro Riverport.
Quality of Place
-
Work and lifestyle connect seamlessly in Spencer County.
-
Affordable housing and short commutes.
-
Strong communities like Rockport and Santa Claus.
-
Access to Owensboro’s healthcare, airport, and entertainment.
-
Nearby attractions: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Lincoln State Park, and river recreation.
Emerging Potential: Data & Advanced Manufacturing
-
Unlimited non-potable water for cooling or processing.
-
Existing power + fiber corridors for hyperscale or industrial innovation.
-
Low seismic risk, mild climate, and available land.
-
Incentives and TIF tools available through the Spencer County EDA.