Delta Queen to call Kimmswick home

The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. has selected Kimmswick, south of St. Louis, as its new base of operations and home port for the Delta Queen.

The historic steamboat – a U.S. National Historic Landmark – was previously docked in Chattanooga, Tenn. The company hopes to have it back in regular service in 2016.

The Jefferson County Economic Development Corp. estimates the Delta Queen’s move could generate $36.4 million annually and create more than 170 jobs in the area.

Delta Queen Steamboat Co.’s business plan would have the boat visit up to 80 U.S. ports a year if an exemption from a federal law, which bans wooden ships from carrying overnight passengers, can be secured.

Read more from the St. Louis Business Journal.