BOAT COULD SPUR PORT DEVELOPMENT

The potential of 700 jobs and an influx of revenue that would pay for major infrastructure work to attract more industry and create additional jobs. That's what has commissioners of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority excited about the prospects of a riverboat gambling operation at the port.

"Anytime you have a possibility of bringing in 700 jobs you would have to explore it," said Ray Buhs of Cape Girardeau. "We would not be doing our job if we didn't explore it.

"This is no different than any other prospect that comes in and we have to look at the potential of jobs and revenue it would generate."

Bill Bess, a port commissioner from Sikeston, added, "If you don't have a port that is properly structured and with the refinements you need, you are not going to get any industry. Without funds to do that, we are pretty well handcuffed. And right now we don't have the money to do the things we need to do there."

Representatives of Promus, a Memphis-based company that operates Harrah's Casino Hotels, have approached the board about the possibility of leasing property at the port for a boat.

The firm said the boat would employ about 700 people and have a payroll of $14-15 million a year. In addition, the company would spend millions of dollars in development, which would extend the port's 1,800-foot slackwater harbor and make other improvements.

Before any kind of final agreement could be signed, voters in Scott County, where the boat would be docked, would have to approve riverboat gambling.

At the request of the port's commissioners, the Scott County Commission voted Tuesday to place the issue on the ballot Nov. 2.

The SEMO Regional Port Authority, created in 1974, is a joint venture of Cape Girardeau and Scott counties.

In the past, port commissioners have been frustrated by an inability to produce a steady flow of revenue to pay for capital improvements at the port.

Funds from a four-year quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1985 generated more than $6 million and paid for the local share of the first phase of port development, but since then there has not been a source for local money.

Hince Winchester of Sikeston, vice chairman of the board, points out that the port badly needs revenue that riverboat gambling can provide.

Said Winchester: "My personal opinion is that it will be very helpful because it will provide a source of revenue to the port which is absolutely essential to complete the infrastructure of the port. We need it set up so we will have all the necessary facilities for industry, from sewage treatment, to the road, to power, water and offices and everything else."

Fred Surman of Chaffee, agrees with his colleagues about the need for revenue and the potential jobs a boat would bring in.

"Where else can we get 700 jobs?" asked Surman, pointing out that it is unlikely any other industrial prospect could generate that amount of jobs. "We are looking at this from the standpoint of employment as much as anything."

Some concerns have been expressed, including by members of the Cape Girardeau County Commission, about whether traffic from a gambling boat would deter industry from locating around the port or from using port facilities.

But port commissioners point out that with good planning, problems can be avoided. They also note that other ports have gambling boats and industry.

"There is room enough for both," said Irvin Garms, a port commissioner from Cape Girardeau. "Once we get the new road, we should be able to handle the traffic without a problem."

Extending the harbor would also enable to boat to be at one end of the port, while at the same time opening up more area for industrial development.

Surman said from what he has learned, it does not appear that a boat would take away from industry.

Winchester added, "I don't think anybody expects any major problems with traffic - certainly no problems that can't be resolved."

Bess maintains that unless there is something at the port to generate revenue, it may be difficult to fund the kind of development that will attract more industry.

Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep said earlier this week that he would be opposed to a gambling boat unless all fees generated go to the port authority. Under state law, the local entity receives $1 for each person that boards a boat and also receives a percentage of the gambling revenue.

Since the boat would be in Scott County, state law provides for those fees to go to the county.

Mysie Keene of Jackson, chairman of the port authority board, said this week she believes that problem could be worked out so that Huckstep's concerns are addressed.

Other port commissioners from Cape County say they agree with Huckstep that all fees should go to the port, not Scott County government.

"As far as I'm concerned, all fees should go to the port authority. It is no different from unloading coal, or pig iron or anything else; that revenue should go to the port. If it doesn't go to the port, I'm not interested," said Buhs.

Added Garms: "My feeling from day one was that any money generated at the port should remain at the port for development."

Scott County Presiding Commissioner Durward Dover said Thursday that while the statutes are clear on where fees go, he is willing to sit down and talk with Huckstep. Dover also stressed that he does not want to do anything to interfere with development of the port or the effort to sign this tenant.

"We can certainly discuss any problem that comes up on any subject," said Dover. "There has been very little discussion of it, and no decision made. We have not discussed this at all with Mr. Huckstep.

"The only thing I know about his opinions are what I read in the paper. I saw him Wednesday at a commissioners meeting, but the riverboat casino did not come up.

"Somewhere down the road, we will discuss it."

Bess said he believes fees should go to the port authority and does not think the issue will be a major conflict.

Said Bess: "I think it is wrong to make an issue of it. I think Scott County's commissioners feel the same way. I can't speak for them, but all indications I have gotten is that their interest is in the port. I hated to see it come out as an issue that is a problem.

"I don't think that is an issue; the port will get any money generated for development of the port. I would envision the money going from the state to the county to the port."

He added that the Nov. 2 election is the first step. "All we can do is ask people for their consideration of it," said Bess. "If it passes, the port will move forward. If it doesn't, it is a dead issue."