PORT TONNAGE SETS MARCH RECORD

SCOTT CITY -- Total tonnage at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority for the first three months of 1994 already ranks as the second highest year ever for activity.

And if that pace (91,721 tons) continues, the record of 259,338 tons set last year will easily be surpassed.

During the month of March, 42,947 tons passed through the port, which is also the largest single month of activity ever at the port authority. The previous record of 37,488 tons was set last June. In March of 1993, total tonnage was 18,217.

"This is an all-time record. We're doing quite well," said Dan Overbey, executive director of the port authority.

He explained the March tonnage was "a combination of petroleum coke going to the power plant in Sikeston and being in the height of the fertilizer season. For the first time we had full movement on both. Also, there has been some expansion with our port tenants."

The port authority's tonnage report was one of several items covered Monday at the monthly meeting of the board of commissioners.

Among the other items discussed was the construction of an office at the port site, which would be owned by the port authority. Currently, space is rented in Scott City.

Commissioner Bill Bess of Sikeston, who last month won approval from the board for his motion to conduct a feasibility study for an office at the port, this month moved that the board look into acquiring a double-wide mobile office unit.

Bess said the unit could be moved if it was determined later that another location at the port would be better.

The board unanimously approved his motion.

Last month, the issue was referred to the acquisitions committee, but after some discussion prior to voting on Bess' new motion, it was decided to refer the matter to the port's construction committee instead.

The port commissioners also agreed to seek a subsidy of $10,000 each from the Cape and Scott County Commissions. Treasurer W.K. Dillon said he had talked with Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep and was told that Cape County would allocate $10,000 if Scott County did the same.

The board authorized Overbey to contact the Scott County Commission about the matter.

For several years the two commissions were providing an operating subsidy of $10,000. Eventually it dropped to $5,000, and has since been discontinued.

Overbey advised the board that things are moving on schedule for the Nash Road extension and that a draft environmental assessment has been approved.

A required public hearing on the Nash Road extension is scheduled for May 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the Scott City High School.

Overbey said that the hearing will be an open house, with maps available for anyone who wants to come in and view them during the two-hour period.

Officials from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department will also be involved with the hearing.

As part of Monday's meeting, the board of commissioners met as the directors of the SEMO Port Railroad, Inc., a corporation the port authority has formed to operate a short line railroad to serve the port.

By-laws for the corporation provided that officers are the same as those for the port authority. During the corporation meeting, a tentative budget was approved and a resolution to submit an application for funding through an Economic Development Administration grant was approved.