PORTS LAUDED TO LAWMAKERS

A group of state legislators were encouraged to recognize the potential of port authorities in Missouri as a tool for economic development and the role they can play in providing companies with intermodal transportation capabilities.

"If Missouri is serious about economic development, this is the kind of investment we need to make to help open this state up to national and international trade," said Allan Maki, director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

Maki conducted a legislative forum Tuesday that focused on the potential of ports in the state and the need for state legislators to provide assistance to insure that potential is reached.

Maki said Missouri is in the heart of the nation's massive inland river waterways system, but the only way the stat can capitalize on its location is by supporting development of ports.

Attending the forum were Sens. John Dennis of Benton and Roger Wilson of Columbia, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. House members attending were Reps. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau; David Schwab, R-Jackson; Ollie Amick, D-Scott City; Herb Fallert, D-Ste. Genevieve; Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid; and Opal Parks, D-Caruthersville.

County commissioners and port commissioners from Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties also attended as well as state highway department representatives and people involved in economic development efforts. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn.

Maki said he recognized many legislators did not understand the value of ports and explained the meeting was part of an increased education process.

Although Maki said his intent was to provide information, he did call on lawmakers to help with efforts to secure funding for extending Nash Road eastward into the port. The road would provide a second and more direct access to the port and would greatly improve accessibility.

He said the road, which is just over 3 miles long, would cost about $4.5 million.

In explaining the concept of intermodal transportation, Maki pointed out that the SEMO Port has quick access to all forms of transportation: road, river, rail, pipeline, and air.

"All five modes of transportation are within three miles of the port authority," said Maki. "This is not the usual situation; this is a very unusual situation. We are on the cutting edge of this developing, intermodal transportation trend."

He referred to the extension of Nash Road as "the final link in our intermodal network.

"We feel this is the kind of project that will give you the most return on your dollar. It is an investment in economic development."

Maki suggested the state play a bigger role in funding the port through the Nash Road project.

Of the $12 million in capital improvement projects at the SEMO Port, Maki pointed out that 56 percent of the money has come from Cape and Scott counties; 38 percent from the federal government; and the remaining 6 percent from the state.

Maki said he believes the local people have done their share to this point, and that it would be unfair to ask them to approve any other type of funding measure for the port until the state increased its financial commitment.

Wilson said that with the state's tight budget it might be difficult to fund Nash Road. He said the best alternative might be to investigate using federal gas tax money for the project.

"If we have to come up with funds for this project through economic development, it will be real tough," said the senator.

Wilson said port authorities can play a greater role in helping the state's economy improve, but some budget discussions so far have been directed toward reducing funds for the Department of Economic Development rather than increasing funds.

Maki told the group there are 67,000 river-related jobs in Missouri, with an economic impact last year of $2.6 billion. Of the 15 ports authorized in the state right now, he explained that eight were operational and had provided $150 million in private capital investments with 330 jobs. The total payroll is $6 million.

Maki termed the Mississippi River as "the biggest interstate in the country." He pointed out that in 1986, 560 million tons moved on the inland waterways system. Of that total, 220 million tons passed by the SEMO Port Authority.

With that kind of tonnage passing by here already, Maki said it is essential to use the port as a focal point for intermodal transportation.

Maki advised the participants in the forum that there is a great deal of interest in the port authority from firms across the nation. He said that serious negotiations are under way between the SEMO Port and six firms, with a total, potential capital investment of $97 million and 135 jobs.

Maki said he has received many other inquiries but they are not yet to the point of serious negotiations.