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HELENA-WEST HELENA-
The Phillips County
Port Authority heard
an update on the
proposed $1.8
billion project
planned by RBE
Arkansas at its
regular monthly
meeting on Monday. |
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In other
business, Chaffin added that
talks continue with a steel
fabricator from Mississippi
that is interested in a site
at the Helena Harbor. He
also updated the Port
Authority on the discussions
related to the continued
unloading of pipeline at the
harbor. Construction of one
pipeline is already
progressing through the area
and another is anticipated
for a similar route in
approximately 2010.
He said, "We have a source for
permanent financing guaranteed. We now have to get the bridge
financing for construction in place. We are farther along than we
have ever been."
Chaffin also
reported that a company needing to load and unload
grain is very interested in the harbor. The firm
has already worked with Chaffin and Port Board
Member Jim Frazier on some engineering designs to
accomplish its objectives without hampering Port
Authority operations. Over 200 barges of grain
annually would be handled by the company according
to its estimates. Chaffin said, “I believe we can
work this out in a way that is mutually beneficial
to both sides. We have some undeveloped areas that
can accommodate these needs.” |
