A delegation from South Korea had the opportunity to view the Ag Coast of America from a unique perspective last week on a Riverboat Tour hosted by USAKO Group in cooperation with the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council. Coordinated by Edie Koch, Executive Director of the Monroe County Economic Development Corporation, the tour was offered as part of the “2022 Go Global: Go U.S.A. with USAKO Group” program. USAKO Group, based in St. Louis, is an investment and consulting group with a mission of helping companies launch operations in South Korea and the U.S. The group is an official global partner of the South Korean government and has created the “Go Global” initiative in partnership with the SEOUL Startup Hub.
The Ag Coast of America is a 15-mile stretch of the Mississippi River that has gained significant recognition in recent years. It is home to 16 barge-transfer facilities that, at total capacity, can handle more than 150 barges a day – the highest level of capacity anywhere along the Mississippi River. Currently, 50% of U.S. crops and livestock are produced within a 500-mile radius of the St. Louis region, including approximately 80% of corn and soybean acreage. The St. Louis region’s strategic location on the river, infrastructure assets and multimodal connectivity enable it to play a crucial role in efficiently moving those commodities. The delegates participating in the tour saw those infrastructure assets up close while getting a bird’s eye view of the high level of activity underway in the Ag Coast.
Check out the slideshow from the cruise below.
