Last week, NEMWI's Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) hosted its second annual Capitol meeting. Fifteen mayors traveled to Washington, DC to take part in the three-day event, which raises awareness of the national economic and environmental benefits of the Mississippi River, and promotes extra-regional collaboration on its behalf. This year, the mayors worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a General Mississippi River Management Plan for the entire main stem, develop a Tributary Transport Model for the Mississippi River system, and expand membership of the Inland Waterway Users Board. The mayors also met with the Administration to discuss climate resiliency for the Mississippi River system through coordinated effort with the President's Export Council, Climate Action Task Force, and Rural Council. Lastly, the mayors continued their coordination with Congress, the Corps, and the states to improve the investment banks for infrastructure, such as the Inland Waterway Trust Fund and the Harbor Maintenance Trust. Mayor Buol of Dubuque, IA provides an overview of the MS River Cities and Towns Initiative and this year's Capitol meeting in this Bloomberg TV interview.

For more information, contact Colin Wellenkamp, Director, Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.