PORT GETS ITS FOURTH OCCUPANT

SCOTT CITY - First Missouri Terminals, a recently formed corporation that will handle liquid fertilizer, has become the fourth tenant of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

The company will lease 2.5 acres of land near the harbor from the port, and has begun construction on a one-million-gallon bulk-liquid fertilizer-storage tank.

Russ Mothershead, president of Midwest Agri-Chemico, the first tenant of the port, formed the new corporation and the first tank will be leased by Midwest. Mothershead said eventually First Missouri Terminals hopes to construct tanks in other places.

At the present time, Midwest handles liquid fertilizer at a terminal it is renting north of Cape Girardeau.

Port Authority Executive Director Allan Maki announced the lease at a press conference at the port Friday afternoon.

"This is a very significant development in our evolution as a port authority," said Maki. "We are quite pleased to have this expansion."

Mothershead said his company "is very excited to be a part of the port," and "sees it as a great asset to the entire region."

Maki explained that Midwest Agri-Chemico has been handling dry fertilizer products, and this will expand its capacity at the port.

"Their capability to load and unload liquid carrying barges brings a new dimension to the port's ability to transfer bulk commodities," said Maki.

"Agriculture is Southeast Missouri's biggest business. First Missouri Terminals Corp. will play a major role in the supply of agricultural products to our largest industry. Their location at the port will enable them to efficiently and economically service customers throughout the region."

Maki stressed that this is the type of "regional impact business" the port authority is trying to attract. "This demonstrates the practical success of the port and its contribution to the region's economic development," he said.

Mothershead said the tank will hold up to 5,300 tons of liquid fertilizer - the equivalent of approximately three barge loads or 200 truck loads. The tank measures 85 feet in diameter and is 24 feet high, and will cost approximately $150,000.

He said he hopes to have the tank operating by early December.

Port officials stressed that the tank will contain non-toxic water-soluble materials, and that it is being built to specifications outlined by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The tank will be surrounded by a levy capable of holding the tank's entire contents.

Midwest Agri-Chemico serves a 50-70 mile radius of its facility at the SEMO Port.

Mothershead said most of the liquid fertilizer will come in by barge and be shipped out by truck. He stressed that the site of the tank was chosen to allow for future expansion if necessary.

Other tenants of the SEMO Port are Girardeau Stevedores and Contractors Inc., which operates the dock facility, and Egyptian Concrete of Salem, Ill., which has a short-term lease at the port to make bridge templets for a bridge under construction near Alton, Ill.

Maki said Friday he and the port commissioners are working to bring in other tenants and are looking forward to having other announcements. He said that negotiations are under way with several prospects.

Among those attending Friday's announcement were M.D. Potashnick of Sikeston, chairman of the port commissioners; Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau, vice chairman; Irvin Garms of Cape Girardeau, a member of the board; Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep; Scott County Presiding Commissioner Durward Dover; Tom Schulte, representing Sens. Christopher Bond and John Danforth; and Lloyd Smith and Greg Branum, representing U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson.