WORK ON PRISON AT CHARLESTON TO START IN FALL

CHARLESTON -- Construction of a state prison in Charleston could begin in mid-September if plans proceed on schedule.

The town was one of two in Missouri designated last for new prisons. Communities across the state submitted proposals for the two prisons. Licking also was selected.

Each prison will bring with them 439 permanent jobs and an estimated annual payroll of $10 million. The 1,500-bed prisons for mail inmates will cost $85 million each.

Betty Hearnes, president of the Mississippi County Industrial Development Authority, said a pre-bid meeting will be held July 22 with contractors interested in building the Charleston prison. Target date for awarding a bid is Aug. 13, with construction expected to begin Sept. 14.

"We have a work force of about 49,000 in the four-county area, and about 4,500 of those are out of work," Hearnes said at a legislative forum in Charleston Thursday night. "This is an opportunity to provide decent salaries, health benefits and a retirement plan to people who really need good jobs."

Hearnes said the prison also will mean more contracts for health-care services, office supplies and other necessary items. Auto and home sales could increase, and other industries will be attracted because of expanded infrastructure as a result of the prison, she said.

The job opportunities are needed in Charleston, which has an unemployment rate of about 11 percent, she said.

"Everybody doesn't want to work in a prison facility," said Hearnes. "When we have other industries come in, that means more opportunities for our work force in this community and throughout the four-county region."