The banks and businesses in Jefferson County have had a challenge proposed to them to help in funding of the Jefferson County Port Authority Phase II Study to bring a multimodal port to the County.

     “This is absolutely the largest project I have seen proposed for Jefferson County,” said Mark Murray, Regional President of Eagle Bank and Trust Company.  “The economic value to the County and Region is tremendous.  This is why Eagle Bank and Trust Company is proud to donate $10,000 towards the project and would hope that the other banks in the County will jump on board and help with the funding to complete this study.”

     In a similar fashion, Govero Land Services, Inc. has contributed $500.00 for the Port Study and challenged other businesses in the County to do the same.

     “I, like many other businesses in the County, have been slowed down by the recession, and unable to donate thousands, but we can help as much as possible,” said Dan Govero, owner of Govero Land Services, Inc.  “A multimodal port will help every business in Jefferson County. It is important that all businesses get involved.  This is about long term jobs for our children and grandchildren.  This is about additional economic activity in Jefferson County in the hundreds of Millions of dollars.”

     “The donations we are receiving from the people around Jefferson County are really great,” said Sam Rauls, Executive Director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.  It is truly important that this be a public/private cooperative effort.  We want to remind individuals that their contributions are important as well.  Every dollar helps.  With Doe Run signing the paperwork for their part of the Phase II study to begin, over half of the funds needed to complete the study have been committed.  “We still need help from a lot of people,” said Rauls.  “We have a lot more work to do and a lot of funds still need to be raised, but I am confident the people of Jefferson County will participate and make this a successful project.”