The proposal to build a new port facility on the Missouri River is one step closer to becoming a reality.
The Cole County Commission approved funding Tuesday for a study to determine whether a multimodal port facility should be located in Cole County.
The Jefferson City Council gave its approval to fund the study last month.
Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce President Randy Allen said his organization believes there will be a renaissance of ports because they can provide cheaper transportation of goods, they are environmentally friendly, and they can take trucks off of highways, reducing congestion and wear and tear on roads.
Jefferson City, Cole County and Callaway County would partner to develop a port authority, which could be adjacent to the Missouri National Guard Ike Skelton Training Facility on the Missouri River near the Chamber of Commerce's industrial park.
Callaway County is offering another potential site, on the river near current baseball fields, with access from U.S. 63.
Jefferson City and Cole County will each give the chamber $47,600 to help fund the study, and the chamber will add $27,000 of its own money.
Members of the Callaway County Commission also attended Tuesday's Cole County Commission meeting to listen to the discussion. Callaway commissioners said they felt there was great potential for economic development with the project and believed they would support paying their share for the study. A meeting to finalize that decision will likely happen next week.
"I've got mixed emotions right now," Callaway County Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said.
Jungermann said he's not fond of pouring money into studies, but it's necessary if Cole and Callaway counties are to pursue government funding for the port.
The study by Cambridge Systematics would determine whether the port is financially viable, as well as determining the best location.
If the funding comes through, Allen said, the study should be done for this area by early fall. The statewide study is not expected until December.
If the project is judged not to be feasible, the study will be terminated early, Allen said. However, if results look positive, Cole and Callaway counties can begin pursuing federal funding. The counties and Jefferson City will also work together to develop the port authority to run the facility.