Local government
considers $15
million contribution

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Reporter
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

CALVERT CITY – It’s been a long time coming.

For the last several years, Calvert City and Marshall County government have been discussing the possibility of the construction of a public port. So much so that three years ago, the Riverport Authority board was formed and both the county and Calvert City committed to contributing $75,000 a year toward development.

As of now, that fund sits on a revenue of approximately $2 million, largely obtained through real estate acquisition and government grants. And while the riverport authority commissioned Florence and Hutcheson Engineering firm to conduct a study of the area and preliminary plans to give the potential project direction, construction has yet to get fully underway.

Enter 4Rivers BioDiesel, an integrated bioenergy company focused on the production of alternative fuel sources. Calvert City, with its proximity to the Tennessee, Ohio, Cumberland and Mississipi rivers, suited the company’s transportation needs and seemed the best possible location for its flagship facility.

4Rivers began land acquisition, purchasing some 600 plus acres east of McFarland Road. And while 4Rivers has scaled back the original 500,000 gallons per year production plant to an operation of half the size, progress is quickly underway.

The company has reportedly begun pouring concrete pads for reactors, and Calvert City Councilman Gene Colburn said 4Rivers hopes to be operational as soon as November.

With the introduction of the multi-million dollar corporation and the progression of construction, comes the push to see those initial riverport plans come to fruition.

“Calvert City is the first leg of the Tenn-Tom [Tennessee-Tombigbee] waterway,” said Marshall County Judge-Executive Mike Miller. “And once that lock is finished, our river traffic is going to grow.”

Miller said that additional traffic is just one reason the port development is necessary. With the increase in river traffic, other commerce interests may be spurred on. Competition is a factor, as well. Surrounding communities are beginning the makings of their own riverports.

“We’ve got all the ingredients right here in Calvert City,” Miller said. “The question is ‘will we be ready?’”

Calvert City Mayor Lynn Jones was inclined to agree.

“With all these other areas developing ports, whoever gets there first has the goose with the golden egg,” Jones said.

However, the success of the riverport all boils down to one key component: the railroad.

4Rivers has developed plans to begin construction on a rail spur, and city and county governments are hoping to join the company in a dual construction effort. In extending the initial rail spur, the riverport may access its property through the system, and essentially allow for development of the port around 4Rivers.

“If we can provide them with the opportunity to recoup their investment in the property in a reasonable amount of time through operation as a public port, I think it will be a win-win situation,” Jones said.

The initial outlay for the project will cost an estimated $15 million. Miller said Marshall County fiscal court is committed to contributing $7.5 million, so long as Calvert City council is willing to contribute the remaining half to get the project off the ground.

“We don’t want to rush anyone into an uninformed decision,” Miller said. “However, we’re at a critical point. Without a committment, we’ll still be here in 10 years talking about the same thing. We’re at a crossroad, and it’s time to fish or cut the bait.”

Further construction will be needed. Miller said the riverport authority will eventually have to acquire the property, develop water, sewer, gas and road work in addition to some wetland mitigation; however, Miller said the riverport board is prepared to begin those projects.

The Calvert City council has a five-week timeline to make a decision on the matter, and Jones said a representative from 4Rivers would be present at the next city council meeting to discuss the proposal and answer questions.

In the meantime, council members are going to review plans drawn up by Florence and Hutcheson in an effort to familiarize themselves with the proposal.

“No one wants to spend that kind of taxpayer money unless the value of their dollar is greatly enhanced,” Jones said. “I think we have the opportunity to do so, here.”

Miller said the riverport board is exploring options with entities like the Kentucky Association of Counties [KACo] for funding so the fees associating with bonding will not be an issue.

“We want to do this as economically as possible,” Miller said. “But we have an opportunity here. We could sit back and wait for someone to hand us the money, but we’ll still be here way on down the road talking this same talk.”