Scott City mill showcases three new train tracks

Tuesday was a milestone for Semo Milling LLC in Scott City.

The staff at Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority hosted a grand opening for the company's three new train tracks on the north side of the mill that will be used to transport corn flour to more than 300 customers in the United States.

Dan Fetherston, commercial manager of Semo Milling, said the tracks' opening will increase storage load-out capabilities by 10 percent to 15 percent. The tracks added were numbers five, six and eight, leaving a space for where track seven soon will begin construction.

Fetherston said plans are to build a storage shed to house the railcars on the tracks. Track seven will have to wait because its construction would have interfered with the building.

About 50 people stood in front of the tracks Tuesday morning, listening as speakers Mike Marshall, federal co-chairman of Delta Regional Authority; Dave Nichols, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation; and employees expressed their gratitude to those who made the tracks possible.

Nichols explained the tracks came about because of the partnerships involved and because the mill could be expanded.

MODOT Waterways, the DRA and Semo Port combined funds to finish track four, as well as tracks five, six and eight. The Missouri Department of Transportation contributed $422,000 to the project, Delta Regional Authority put in $100,000, and Semo Port provided $131,000.

Fetherston said Semo Milling creates a primary ingredient other companies, such as Anheuser-Busch, Kellogg's Cornflakes and Zatarain's, use to make a finished product. With the new tracks, they will be able to ship more at a faster pace.

Fetherston said the building expansion and track seven should begin construction in the next eight months.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

Pertinent address:

Semo Milling LLC, Scott City