PORT COMMISSIONERS LOOK TO GRANTS, VIEW NASH ROAD PROJECT

SCOTT CITY - An effort to seek grants for infrastructure development through the Economic Development Administration was authorized Monday by the board of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

The board also discussed briefly a planned vote in the Missouri House, that would put a 6-cent gas tax into effect. If it would pass today, the measure would still need Senate approval before it could be sent to the governor for his signature.

Port commissioners were especially excited about the prospects of having the gas tax approved, since one of the first projects that could be funded is an extension of Nash Road into the port.

Fred Surman, chairman of the construction committee, reported that his group had met with District 10 Highway Engineer Freeman McCullah concerning the alignment of right of way for the proposed road.

"It was a very good meeting," said Surman, pointing out that the primary responsibility of the port authority will be to purchase the right of way and to secure permits.

Peter Kinder, vice chairman of the board, said his understanding was "if they get this gas tax passed, we're project number one in this district."

Port commissioners have identified the extension of Nash Road into the port as a top priority for several years. By extending the road, trucks will have more direct access to the port and not have to pass through Scott City. As the port authority develops, the existing route will not be able to handle the kind of traffic that will be generated.

Mysie Keene, chairman of the finance committee of the board, said her group had learned that there are some potential E.D.A. grants available that the port should pursue. She recommended to the board that it enter into a contract with the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission to pursue the opportunities.

"There apparently are some substantial grants available that we could qualify for," noted Executive Director Alan Maki. He said some of the grant funds could be used for extending rail, providing more utilities and developing a sewage system.

With the planning commission's assistance, Maki and Keene proposed that a pre-application be submitted to the E.D.A.

"We will prepare a list of projects we feel have merit and they will tell us whether to submit a formal application or how to modify our application," said Maki.

Grants could be used to open the second phase of development at the port to expand and refine the infrastructure. For example, Maki said although there is already water at the site, there needs to be a system built for distributing that water to lots around the port.

Keene, reporting later for the marketing committee, suggested the need for some type of long-range plan. She said the executive director could compile a list of long-range projects that could be considered.

Maki said he could prepare a list that the board could review, however, he stressed that he lacked the technical expertise to provide the kind of details necessary for a complete master plan.

The board also discussed at length the exact location of the rail spur now under construction, into the dock area. Lanny Koch of Girardeau Stevedores, which operates the dock, had advised the construction committee that the rail spur needs to run between the dock and a warehouse he was planning to construct.

Such an arrangement would enable him to unload products for either barges or to store in the warehouse from rail cars. However, taking that route would reduce the size of several lots around the harbor.

After discussing the pros and cons of the rail decision, the board decided to wait until its March 9 meeting to make a final decision.

In other business, the board approved the purchase of a generator for the port, which will be paid for in installments over the next two years.

Maki also reported that a trial date for a declaratory judgment being sought by the port and Union Electric over the port's authority to purchase power at wholesale rates and re-sell it to tenants has been set for March 20 in Benton.

Scott County Circuit Judge Tony Heckemeyer withdrew as the judge last November due to a conflict of interest. Mississippi County Associate Circuit Judge Lynn Brown will hear the case.