August 27, 2009

STE. GENEVIEVE -- Ground was broken Wednesday afternoon for the multi-million dollar New Bourbon Regional Port south of Ste. Genevieve.

Third District Congressman Russ Carnahan said it was a thrill to see the project finally getting underway since it has been in the works since 1982

"It's a thrill to see this come together," he said. "Thanks for the work the Port Authority has done, all of the different organizations. You have two counties working together, the House and the Senate working together in Washington, you have Republicans and Democrats working together, to see this all come together in our own self interest."

State Representative Joe Fallert agreed that a lot of people and organizations have worked together for this day to come.

The 72-acre site for the port is located 3.5 miles south of the city of Ste. Genevieve and is only a stone's throw from the original location of the city, before it was flooded out and moved to the "little hills". Construction is expected to begin in three to four weeks.

Perryville Mayor Debbie Gahan says it is past time for this country to use its water resources.

"I was born and raised on the Mississippi River...and watched the barges going by. I know exactly how important it is to access the greatest superhighway we have in America -- the Mississippi River," she said. "The U.S. transports about two percent of its domestic freight on water, Europe transports about 44 percent of its domestic freight by water and China transports 61 percent of its domestic freight by water. This port will help make a difference."

Ste. Genevieve Mayor Dick Greminger said the port will give the area a big boost.

"We are very excited and pleased that this is going to take place," he said. "It will definitely have a very nice economic impact on the region, on the community."

A study by the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission indicated the port would mean 35 direct jobs initially with about 400 jobs eventually created with annual salaries of $43,664. Each new job would create an additional two jobs in retail, service and other sectors of the local economy.

Perry County Commissioner Carl Leuckel said he is pleased to see the project moving forward. He related that shortly after taking office, he and some other Perry County officials drove to the port site. He said all there was then was a willow pond. He said that is going to change very soon.

Ste. Genevieve County Commissioner Al Fults noted that the port at New Madrid is expanding because of increased traffic and maybe the New Bourbon Port can help pick up some of that load.

The Port Authority chairman Ronnie Inman said the funding for the project is coming from several sources:

Missouri Department of Transportation: $500,000 for the excavation of the the slackwater harbor and riprap placement.

The Ferryboat Discretionary Fund: $426,626 for bank stabilization, dredging and debris and rock removal for the ferry berthing area and construction of a mooring site for the ferry for use when the ferry is idled due to high water or ice on the river.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: $1,000,000 for construction of the loading dock and improvements and related site development.

The Delta Regional Authority: $100,000 to be used in conjunction with other funds for construction of the slackwater harbor and berthing area.

The Economic Development Administration: $2,290,000 for construction of the dock facility and completion of the harbor.

The local match is $763,393 which would come from private investment from "people who hopefully will do business with us."

When completed, Inman said the port will be the northernmost lock free port on the Mississippi River.