The Jefferson County Port Authority got a big boost in their efforts to fund Phase II of the Port Study when the Carpenters and the Laborers assisted in the funding of the project.  The Carpenters District Council committed $10,000, the Laborers District Council donated $10,000, and Laborers Local 110 donated $5,000. 

     As stated by Terry Nelson, Executive Secretary / Treasurer of the Carpenters District Council, "This is an investment into the future of jobs for our workers.  All unions should understand that we need to assist in long term projects that will bring jobs to our members, children and grandchildren." 

     Gary Elliott, Business Manager for the Eastern Missouri Laborers' District Council said, "We are pleased to participate in a major project like this.  The job creation will help everyone and we encourage all unions to become a part of this project."

     "We are very happy that the Carpenters and Laborers have stepped forward and helped out," said Sam Rauls, Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation and the Port Authority of Jefferson County.  County Executive, Chuck Banks, and I made presentations to the Building and Construction Trades Coiuncil as well as the Carpenters and Laborers.  In addition to the Carpenters and Laborers, the Jefferson County Labor Club has committed $500 to the Study.  We hope to get the support of the other unions as well as the construction trades.  We hope that more checks will be forthcoming in the near future."

     Bart Velasco, President of the Jefferson County Labor Club stated, "This Port project will bring so many jobs to all the people in Jefferson County.  I hope everyone rallies behind the Port Authority and assist in the funding of the study as we move forward."

     To show his personal support, Velasco donated $77 to the funding of the study. 

     "Bart was the first individual to make a contribution and I hope there are many, many more," Rauls said.  "The Port Authority wants to truly make this a public / private cooperative effort.  Bart made the challenge to me, and I personally donated, $77 also."

     Rauls said that he was very pleased with the project's projections.

     "The feasibility study came out much, much better than any of us ever expected it to come out," Rauls said.  "I mean the economic impact, the number of construction jobs it would create, the number of full-time permanent jobs afterwards that it would create, the numbers are just much more, much better, than any of us ever would have expected. "

     Rauls said that the port would create jobs in construction, industry, commerce and transportation.

     "And then of course you have what I call the domino effect of anytime you put anything this size, you would have your other type of jobs such as retail business that would add to what goes on with an entire port operation," he said.

     Rauls explained that the project started as a cooperative effort when Doe Run agreed to let the EDC tag onto their port study already in progress.

     "They had already paid the lion's share of the cost, Rauls said.  "We raised the money to complete the feasibility study for roughly a ten-mile port area from Pevely down south of Crystal City." 

    Most of the property being developed for the port is privately owned, Rauls said .

     "To the best of my knowledge, other than the old PPG property, all of the rest of the property is privately owned," he said.  "And the old PPG property which is the Wings operation,  has nothing to do with this port study.  They're putting in their own port operation." 

     The Port Authority hopes to take advantage of the convergence of I-55, the Mississippi, and rail lines in Jefferson County.

     "What we're studying is what's called a multi-modal port, Rauls said.  "It's not just a river port.  It's a port for the river, for rail, and for interstate highway, and that's something that we have all together here."

     Rauls also hopes to see more public access to the river with the development of the port.

     "If you look at the conceptual drawings, there is a buffer between the port and the boat club and then there's a large buffer between the port and the old PPG property," he said.  "There's a good opportunity with the buffer property between the port and the PPG property that we will be able to make pathways, walkways, things like that because it would still be considered wetlands." 

     The Port Authority hopes to have funding in place for the Phase II study by the first part of June.  More than likely the first shovel of dirt will be turned in Herculaneum since most of the property is owned by  one eager to move forward company, and the City of Herculaneum is committed to the project.

     "We hope to be moving dirt within two to five years," Rauls said.  "Our big hopes are to build as much of the Herculaneum and Crystal City projects simultaneously.  This is one port for Jefferson County; it just happens to be 10 miles long."

     The Port Authority will seek public input during the Phase II study.

     "When we finished the Phase I Study, we had two public hearings," Rauls said.  "Going into Phase II, there will be more public hearings.  We look forward to the public contributing their interests and the ability to create jobs and economic impact for Jefferson County."

     The complete Phase I Feasibility Study Analysis is available on the EDC website here.  Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the study can make their checks payable to the Jefferson County Port Authority and send them to PO Box 623, Hillsboro, MO 63050.  For more information, call 636-797-5336.