While the numbers have been showing positive results over the past years, the focus is already on how to keep setting unprecedented numbers.

In part one of a three-part series, we visit Indiana's Lake Michigan port facility to see how it's secured its place in the global steel supply chain.

The state's three ports together handled 11.3 million tons of cargo last year.

The increase is due in part to grain and coal exports – the kind that could see major changes under Trump administration trade reforms.

A commercial real estate firm purchased Indiana Michigan Power's former coal plant in Lawrenceburg in southern Indiana and is working with the Ports of Indiana to see if it could be a viable option.

It was the first year in the Ports of Indiana's history that the state's three ports handled more than 12 million tons.