SEMO PORT 1992 TONNAGE UP OVER THAT OF '91

SCOTT CITY -- Cargo moved through the Southeast Missouri Regional Port on the Mississippi River near here increased substantially in 1992.

That and a number of other items of good news were reported to the port authority's board of commissioners Monday during their first meeting of the new year.

The new board chairman, Mysie Keene, said total tonnage moved in and out of the port in 1992 increased more than 50 percent over 1991. A total of 75,594 net tons of product and bulk commodities moved through the port in 1992, a 52 percent increase over the 49,714 net tons of cargo handled in 1991.

Keene termed the increase "very gratifying." She said, "I think we can look at these figures with a great deal of pride that we are proceeding well, and we intend to double it or more in the coming year."

Port Executive Director Allan Maki termed the increased tonnage figures, "significant." He said they represent different types of materials and products being shipped in and out of the port.

"We're moving different kinds of material than we have in the past, and I think that's a good sign that more people are thinking about the port authority as a way of moving a product," Maki said.

Maki said the port authority is now reporting gross tonnage as well as net tonnage handled by the port. "The state asked us to keep track of our gross tonnage. This is tonnage that comes in by barge and goes out by truck. It is counted twice because it's handled twice ... once when it's unloaded, and again when it is loaded onto trucks," Maki explained.

"However, some of the bulk commodities that come in by barge are stored at the port site and not counted until they are actually shipped out of the port. That's why the net and gross tonnage figures may not always seem accurate."

Maki said the port authority will continue to rely on net tonnage figures as a true indicator of how the port is doing. "But either way you look at the net or gross tonnage figures, both were up over 50 percent last year," he said. "It's an excellent development and a good way to be moving ... up."

Keene said six barges - with 18,849 tons of cargo - were handled at the port in December 1992.

Keene reported the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department has given preliminary approval for the location of Route AB (Nash Road extension) from I-55 eastward to the port. The letter said final approval by the highway commission is dependent upon results of an informal public meeting. Maki said the meeting will be scheduled within the next 30 days.

The construction committee reported the port road will have two 14-foot-wide, paved lanes with 10-foot shoulders that could be expanded to a four-lane road. Total cost of the extension is estimated at $10 million, with completion tentatively scheduled for spring or fall of 1995.

During the meeting Keene reviewed her list of 1993 goals for the port authority with the other commissioners. They include:

Completion of a railroad spur into the port.

Purchase of the Union Pacific Railroad's Cape Deau branch line tracks that extend from the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks east of Scott City to the Burlington Northern tracks in South Cape Girardeau. The port's new rail spur will tie in with the branch line near Scott City.

Completion of a waterline loop into the port, extension of natural gas line to the port, construction of a waste-water treatment system, and providing a permanent electric supply

Acquiring new tenants a minimum of two in 1993.

Beginning a marketing advertising campaign in local and national trade publications

Completing a barge fleeting contract

Developing a master plan for future port development

Acquiring foreign trade zone status.

Awarding a Nash Road extension contract.

Maki told the commissioners the port authority's marketing committee has approved an advertising campaign in local and national trade journals such as The Waterways Journal, to market the port to attract new business and tenants. "We should be seeing a local and national media advertising campaign starting in April or May to promote our port and the type of international cargo it handles," he said.

Maki also reported the application for a $300,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was received in late December. "We should hear something on our grant application in about 60 days, or around the first of March." he reported.

If the grant is approved, Maki said the $300,000 will be used with a $1.2 million Economic Development Administration grant the port has already received to finance the port's railroad construction and acquisition projects.

"I'm reasonably optimistic we'll get the FRA grant," Maki said. "But the downside to this is that we'll have another delay in some of the work on Phase 2 of our railroad project. But by March 1, we should be able to proceed as soon as we hear from the FRA."

There were two personnel changes. Former Cape Girardeau County member-at-large W.K. Ken Dillon was appointed to fill the four-year, unexpired term of Peter Kinder, following Kinder's resignation after being elected state senator. Dillon had served as a member-at-large from April 1988 to December 1989.

Replacing Dillon as a member-at-large is Raymond G. Buhs, who is also no stranger to the board of commissioners. Bush served as a commissioner from February 1984 to June 1986.