The early Port of Alexandria brought oods to the area and shipped cotton and other local products to the rest of the country.  A ferry connected the cities until bridges were built across the Red River.

The Port as we know it was founded in the early 1980's.  In 1992 the name was changed to Alexandria Regional Port.  We have a board of eight commissioners. Five appointed by the City of Alexandra, one by Rapides Parish, one by Grant Parish and one by Avoyelles Parish.

Today's facilities inclued a 40 ton crane for off-loading.  A 15,000 square foot warehouse to be enlarged by 45,000 square feet in 2007 for a total of 60,000 square feet of storage capacity.  A 13,600-ton bulk fertilizer warehouse, 3,400-ton fertilizer dome structure, and a new 5,000-ton fertilizer dome constructed in 2004.  A petroleum off-loading facility with two 55,000 BBL tanks, and one 15,000 BBL tank, capable of handling two barges and five truck off-loading simultaneously.  A general cargo dock, with access to rail, and a hopper barge unloading dock, complete with conveyor system.  Products can be loaded or unloaded onto seagoing barges at the general cargo dock, the warehouse or the conveyor system.

The Port is the busiest inland port for Military Moves.  We have moved several units between their home base and the Joint Readiness Center at Fort Polk for training.