MEMPHIS — Natchez Mayor Butch Brown and leaders of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative announced Thursday several breakthroughs during an economic summit on the Mississippi River in Memphis.

Brown said the biggest progress was made in partnerships created between businesses and organizations to expand container shipping on the Mississippi River.

During the summit, Walmart Stores, Memphis-based Chism Hardy Investments, Ingram Barge Company, Inland Rivers Ports and Terminals Inc., and the Illinois Soybean Association pledged to work together.

Brown said container shipping relieves freight congestion, creates economic opportunity for its ports and other intermodal industries and attracts investment in the river’s infrastructure.

MRCTI is expanding its political base, Brown said, every time the mayoral-led group meets.

“At some point, our voice is going to be so loud that it has to be heard,” he said.

Other issues discussed at the summit, Brown said, included the impact of funding cuts to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and infrastructure needs of the river.

The summit was hosted by MRCTI, an organization of mayors aimed at creating a unified voice for the Mississippi River, and the Delta Regional Authority.