EMERSON TO HOST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOUR OF DISTRICT

Members of U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's Eighth Congressional Business and Economic Development Advisory Team will tour three regional port authorities June 29 during the team's first economic development tour.

The advisory team was established last year to encourage cooperation between industry, local, state and federal governments.

"The mission is to share ideas of positive economic development stories so we can learn from each other," Emerson said.

The team will visit port authorities in Scott City, New Madrid and Caruthersville.

"On the east side of the district, we wanted to visit some of those projects that have been done in a partnership with a local, federal and state role," Emerson said in a telephone interview. "How did those entities work together to create jobs and economic possibilities? The ports are the ultimate combination of local, state and federal efforts."

For example, the Southeast Missouri Port Authority, based in Scott City, this year received more private money than state or federal funding.

"That's the goal," Emerson said.

Team members from throughout the district will attend, Emerson said, even those who are miles from a river port. The ideas used by port authorities can be tailored to other projects in other areas, she explained.

This is the first tour for the advisory team. Last year the team held a series of meetings to discuss issues like income tax reform.

The Pemiscot County Port Authority is first on the tour from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The team will visit the New Madrid County Port Authority from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and will visit the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority in Scott City from 2 to 3 p.m.

"I am confident that by seeing the projects in person that everyone will have a better understanding of how much can be accomplished when working in a cooperative manner, government and the private sector," Emerson said. "I am very excited about these tours, and I look forward to visiting so that these entities can share with me their positive experiences and their vision for the future of Southeast Missouri."

Another tour will be scheduled for the west side of the district later this year.