WIUM Local
(2009-11-04)
The Mid-America Port Commission is applying for $50-million in federal stimulus funds to build a port facility in Quincy. The facility would be located near Lock & Dam 21.
The commission represents 26 counties in Southeast Iowa, Northeast Missouri, and West Central Illinois. Representatives have been traveling the region to garner support for the plan from the member counties.
The Lee County Board of Supervisors chose to delay a vote on whether to support the project. Supervisors Ernie Schiller, Janet Fife-LaFrenz, and Rick Larkin voted to table the resolution while Supervisors Gary Folluo and Larry Kruse opposed the delay.
Larkin says he still has questions as to how this request would impact the Southeast Iowa Regional Economic and Port Authority. He says one area of concern is the establishment of a foreign trade zone and how it would impact either authority.
Larkin says a member of the Southeast Iowa Regional Economic and Port Authority also expressed concerns to him. He would not identify the member during the recent meeting.
The supervisors plan to meet with representatives of each authority during next week's meeting. A vote on whether to support the project would likely follow the get-together.
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