SEMO PORT CONSIDERS FUND-RAISING FOUNDATION

The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority is considering the establishment of a fund-raising foundation. Missouri's attorney general says there is no legal reason why they can't.

In an opinion requested by state Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, Attorney General Jay Nixon said that as a political entity the port authority cannot own or organize a foundation itself. But individuals who support the port authority are free to do so and turn over donations to the port, according to Nixon.

Port Director Dan Overby said the authority's board is simply looking into the possibility of creating a fund-raising wing along the lines of the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation. However, the scope of activity of a port authority group would not be nearly as wide as that of the University Foundation, Overby said.

"Technically, as I understand it, they could donate to us anyway and it would be tax deductible since we are a governmental body," Overby said. "But sometimes it makes it a little more palatable if they donate to a foundation rather than the government itself."

He said some board members thought a separate foundation would look more professional. It would also make it more convenient for groups and companies to donate needed materials or equipment and in the process allow the port authority to stretch its tax-supported budget further, Overby said.

While he described the port authority's budget as "tight," he said attracting additional economic development to the facility would solve that problem by increasing rents.

Capital improvements being funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration should make the port look more attractive to industry.

"It is one thing to tell them you are going to do it," Overby said. "But when you have it in place and can show them photos it helps things move along."

Projects to improve streets and sewers, extend railroad tracks and add a second water line to the eastern edge of the port will mean a good deal of construction will occur this year and in 1997.

Also under consideration are an expansion of the dredge basin and the addition of an auxiliary dock.

"That would be a very small facility which could stay in operation during floods," Overby said.

Although in existence since 1975, the port has flourished only since the completion of the harbor in 1989 and improvements which followed, Overby said. He added that the port is also marketing itself more aggressively.

"We have really been making a quite a bit of progress in a very short period of time," he said.