PROGRESS ROLLS UPSTREAM: SOUTHEAST MISSOURI RETIONAL PORTA AUTHORITY MAKES STRIDES TO SERVE THE REGION

Since its conception in 1974 as a joint venture between Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority has experienced good times and tough times. Although the progress over the years has usually been steady, it has not always been at the level port backers had hoped for.

But now, the time of prosperity for the SEMO Port Authority appears to be in clear focus.

A number of industries are seriously considering using the facilities of the port or leasing land around the port; a railroad spur should be completed later this year that will provide access to three different railroads; and passage of a new state gas tax should trigger funding for the extension of Nash Road eastward into the port site.

Completion of the rail spur and Nash Road will dramatically improve access to the port, and provide the kind of intermodal transportation network now regarded as a key to economic development in the years ahead.

Intermodalism provides industries the opportunity to transport materials by using various modes of transportation that are the most cost effective.

Port Executive Director Allan Maki points out that the SEMO port will be within two miles of any form of transportation any company would need - rail, road, air, water, and pipeline.

"With the opening of direct interstate access via Nash Road and completion of the rail spur, the port will be primarily developed for intermodal transportation," explained Maki. "The primary elements are in place for intermodal transportation, and we think that opens up possibilities to all types of industries."

Maki said a lot of companies are calling the port for information about either utilizing the facilities or leasing land around the port.

"We've been getting a lot of calls, which I think is encouraging," said Maki. "As rail comes in, I think we will start getting a lot of business."

Last year 49,750 tons of products passed through the port, and this year Maki is optimistic the figure will exceed 75,000 tons. But within a few years, those figures are likely to be dwarfed as use of the port facilities increase.

There are currently four tenants at the port: Egyptian Concrete, which is manufacturing bridge components for a project near Alton, Ill.; Midwest Agri-Chemico and First Missouri Terminals, which ship both bulk and liquid fertilizer; and Girardeau Stevedores, which operates the public dock facility.

"Within the next 30 days, we will hopefully sign two new tenants," said Maki.

Overall, the port owns 480 acres of land and has an option for another 175 acres.

The SEMO Port Authority is halfway through a six-month joint study with two firms to locate a coal beneficiation and co-generation facility at the port. The study is being conducted with Cogentrix of Charlotte, N.C., and Carbontec of Fargo, N.D.

Cogentrix has a process of taking western coal, which is low in sulfur content but not as energy efficient as other coal, and removing water from the coal to increase its energy level and make it more compatible with high sulfur coal.

Carbontec would then use the steam generated by the other plant for a co-generation facility.

"The end result of this study is they could decide to locate here later this year," said Maki, noting that both companies together would spend between $80 million and $90 million on their facilities.

Construction on the first phase of the railroad spur is under way and should take 60-90 days to complete. That will enable port officials to take bids and begin construction on the second phase, which involves the actual laying of the rail.

Maki said if all goes well, the railroad could be operational before the end of this year.

Extending Nash Road could begin this year and be finished in late 1993 or early 1994. Maki and port commissioners have long considered this a priority project, yet lacked sufficient funding to complete it.

Under an agreement with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, the port plans to provide the right of way and secure all permits, and the department will pay for engineering and construction of the four-mile highway.

State funding for the project will come from an increase in the state's fuel tax.

"When Nash Road is done, that should trigger a lot of new tonnage and overall growth for our port authority," stressed Maki.

The SEMO Port Authority is also seeking foreign-trade-zone and port-of-entry status. The designations would open this port's potential for international trade and would enable area businesses to become more directly involved in foreign trade.

Maki said the port is still pursuing options for bringing energy to the port and applying for grants to help with infrastructure development.

Although progress has been slow at times, Maki said he believes brighter days are just around the corner.

"We started a five-year marketing plan last year, and will finish our first year in April," said Maki. "If we stay on schedule, the port will be fully developed and economically self sufficient. That's basically what our long-term marketing plan is - to be an engineer to attract jobs and private capital investment."

The SEMO Port Authority is supervised by a nine-member board of directors. Each county appoints four port commissioners and a ninth member is rotated between the counties every other year.

Serving on the board from Scott County are Bill Bess, Morty Potashnick and Hence Winchester, of Sikeston, and Fred Surman of Chaffee. Cape Girardeau County board members are Peter Kinder, Jim Limbaugh, Irvin Garms and Kin Dillon, of Cape Girardeau, and Mysie Keene of Jackson.

Potashnick is serving as chairman of the board and Kinder is vice chairman.