PORT AUTHORITY DISCUSSES EDA GRANT OF $2 MILLION

SCOTT CITY - Commissioners of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority Monday discussed a $2 million Economic Development Administration grant announced by Vice President Dan Quayle during a port visit last month.

Fred Surman, chairman of the port's construction committee, told the board that new procedures with EDA grants require that contracts be signed for all projects that will be funded with the grant before money can be received.

Because of additional guidelines, there was a delay in seeking bids for the second phase of a railroad spur. But Executive Director Allan Maki said he doesn't anticipate a lengthy delay in seeking bids for the project.

Also at the meeting were Tom Tucker and Cathy Mangels of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. They met with the board in a closed session to discuss details of the grant.

Board Chairman Morty Potashnick signed a form accepting the grant after a motion to do so was approved unanimously by the board.

Maki said publicity received from the vice president's visit and word about the grant has been a boon to the port authority. Maki reported that in the last few weeks he had received serious inquiries from four firms interested in locating around the port.

None of the firms was local, he noted.

During October, 14,410 tons of products were moved through the port authority, Maki reported. For the year, the port has handled 124,108 tons, which includes 63,000 inbound and 63,284 outbound tons.

"We have exceeded last year's total tonnage by quite a bit and look forward to building on our record," said Maki.

He pointed out that gypsum is a new commodity moving through the port. Maki said he has also received inquiries about other commodities that have not previously been handled at the port.

During the last 10 months, Maki said 53 barges have come into the public dock and 2,548 trucks have hauled products out.

In other business, the commissioners discussed placement of "no trespassing" signs around the port. Members stressed this was done to protect the public because of the high volume of activity around the port.

"This is not a park," said Potashnick. "It is public and, yes, the public is welcome, but we have to have it on a controlled basis so no one is hurt."

Prior to Monday's meeting, the board made a presentation to the widow of Jack Hunter, who was one of the charter port commissioners. Hunter, who was from Sikeston, died earlier this year.

"Mr. Hunter was one of the early visionaries of the port authority," said Potashnick.