PORT AUTHORITY, RCGA MAY WORK TOGETHER FOR NASH ROAD EXTENSION

SCOTT CITY - The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority Board of Commissioners expressed interest Monday in working with the Regional Commerce and Growth Association toward extending Nash Road into the port.

Walt Wildman, executive director of the RCGA, told commissioners the RCGA board would be willing to work with the port board to organize a group that would work toward the project. Presently, the only way to reach the port is by going through Scott City.

The port board has recognized the extension of Nash Road as a future priority; however, the port authority has no funds for the project. The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission has indicated it does not have funding at the present time for the extension.

Wildman suggested a group be organized to investigate creation of a special transportation district, now allowed by state law, that would impose a tax on businesses in that area to pay for the highway.

Wildman pointed out that there is a focus on intermodal transportation across the nation, which is a priority of both the RCGA and the port authority.

"The goals of this group are aligned and very consistent with those of the RCGA," said Wildman. "It only makes sense for the port authority and RCGA to work together."

Wildman and Port Executive Director Allan Maki have had some preliminary discussions with the mayors of Cape Girardeau and Scott City and other officials about working toward the Nash Road project.

Wildman said, to make the project a reality, alternative funding sources like the transportation district needs to be explored.

Port Commissioner Mysie Keene said that before the port authority and RCGA entered into any kind of formal agreement she would prefer that input be sought from the four commissioners who were absent from Monday's meeting. She expressed no opposition to further discussing a joint effort.

"We will cooperate with the RCGA in any way that we can," said Port Chairman Morty Potashnick.

Maki said he would ask the highway commission to consider at least providing funding for a feasibility study of the road.

Wildman said the RCGA would be willing to work with the port in any way it could. He said the Foreign Trade Zone designation is another area where the two groups could work together.

Wildman, in response to a request from the port's board, said honorary membership would be given to the port authority in the RCGA. Earlier this year, the port commissioners decided not to continue paying membership fees in chambers of commerce and economic development-type groups in Cape and Scott counties because they were all working toward the same goals.

The board requested honorary memberships in the groups.

In other business, Maki reported that the port had set a tonnage record and had already surpassed tonnage for last year's record. With 2,890 tons coming through the port in August, the year-to-date total is 31,493, which is well above last year's record of 28,454 tons.

"We take that to be a good sign that we have already surpassed last year's total," said Maki.

Keene, treasurer of the board and chairman of the finance committee, reported that the capital and construction account has a balance of $1,914,092. She said all costs associated with running of a rail spur into the port were projected to total $1,554,592, leaving a balance in the capital account of $360,000.

Once the railroad is paid for, the first phase of development at the port, which was funded by grants and a four-year, quarter-cent sales tax, will be completed.

Keene said her committee was recommending that the balance in the account be used for any kind of infrastructure development at the port authority that would help get a tenant to situate there.

She pointed out the report means the port has no more funds for capital improvements without generating some additional revenue.

"We all knew this day was coming when our bond money was all spent or dedicated," said Potashnick. He asked the finance committee to look at projected revenues and make a report at the next meeting.

Maki reported that a meeting on the second phase of construction of the rail spur will be held with engineers and officials of Union Pacific Railroad on Sept. 17.

Maki said the purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the design of the rail line. The first phase of construction, which is now under way, involves getting right of way cleared and the railroad bed in place; the second phase will be placing of rails.