New business at port

Construction is about to begin on a new corn-milling operation at the Southeast Missouri Port Authority. The $5 million, four-story plant owned by SEMO Milling will produce food-grade corn products.

This will be the first food-producing facility and the eighth business to locate at the port.

The company hopes to begin operating within six months and plans to employ 60 people to begin with. The employees will work in three shifts seven days a week.

The project will include bins for corn, storage tanks for the products and a two-story office building.

The start-up company will produce cornmeal, grits and related products.

Company officials say the quality of the corn grown in Southeast Missouri is among the best in the nation.

The company previously was known as Cape Milling but changed its name when new investors came aboard.

SEMO Milling has a 25-year lease on its land at the port with an option to renew the lease for another 75 years.

The port, Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Scott County Commission are to be applauded for bringing another quality company to the port.

The continuing growth of the port and its infrastructure assures that more businesses will find this an attractive location.