CGB Breaks Ground for $47M Expansion at Ports of Indiana Mount Vernon

Why It Matters

The expansion dramatically improves grain flow and reduces transportation costs for Hoosier farmers, strengthening Indiana’s competitive edge in agricultural exports and supporting regional economic growth.

Key Takeaways

• Expansion adds 4.25 million bushels storage capacity
• Truck unloading capacity jumps 200% , cutting port congestion
• CGB's soybean throughput rose over 60% in ten years
• Port of Indiana connects to five Class I railroads
• Project slated for completion in 2027, boosting regional trade

Pulse Analysis

The $47 million, three‑year construction effort at the Ports of Indiana‑Mount Vernon will reshape the state’s grain infrastructure. By installing new storage silos, a high‑capacity conveyor system, and a streamlined truck‑unloading dock, CGB aims to lift its soybean handling volume from the current 50 million bushels toward a three‑fold increase. The added 4.25 million‑bushel storage pool and a 200 percent boost in unloading speed are designed to eliminate bottlenecks that have long plagued inland ports, delivering faster turnaround for barge and rail shipments.

For Indiana’s soybean growers, the upgrade translates into tangible cost savings and market advantages. Faster unloads mean trucks spend less time idling, reducing fuel consumption and labor expenses while freeing road capacity for other agricultural traffic. The enhanced flow also shortens the window between harvest and export, preserving grain quality and allowing producers to capture better pricing in volatile commodity markets. Moreover, the project’s emphasis on seamless intermodal connections—linking barge, rail, and road networks—strengthens the supply chain resilience that exporters rely on when serving overseas food‑processing and livestock customers.

Beyond the immediate operational gains, the expansion reinforces Indiana’s strategic position in the national and global agri‑food landscape. With five Class I railroads converging at the 1,200‑acre port, the facility becomes a pivotal gateway for the Midwest’s grain belt, attracting ancillary services such as ethanol transloading and dry‑distillers‑grain handling. The investment signals confidence in the region’s long‑term agricultural productivity, encouraging further private and public capital to modernize infrastructure, boost export volumes, and sustain rural employment. As global demand for soy‑derived products climbs, Indiana’s upgraded port is poised to capture a larger share of the market.