Keokuk, IA – Two cities in Southeast Iowa have formed the state's first port authority. The Keokuk City Council has voted to create the Southeast Iowa Regional Economic and Port Authority. The Fort Madison city council approved the same measure earlier this week. Lee County Economic Development Director, Lowell Junkins, says the economic and port authority will push Lee County to the front in the race for jobs and economic growth. With the authority now officially established, Junkins says the members can start drafting the by-laws. Keokuk Mayor Dave Gudgel, Fort Madison Mayor Steve Ireland, Al Zastrow, and Robert Winckler have already been named to the authority's Board of Directors. The Lee County Board of Supervisors could vote to be a part of the authority, Tuesday, though several members have expressed concerns about the rules and regulations. If the panel does approve the measure, it will designate two directors of its own to help craft the rules and govern the authority. If the board votes it down, the authority would move forward and the county would have to join at a later date.
Port Authority Established
