Hannibal, MO. – Corey Mehaffy, Executive Director of the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council (“HREDC”) announced today that his office was notified that the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (“MHTC”) has approved the Marion County Port Authority’s request to establish the Marion/Ralls Regional Port Authority.
On July 28th 2020, the Marion County Port Authority Board of Commissioners in cooperation with the Marion and Ralls County Commissioners, executed an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement to establish a Regional Port Authority. Approval of the new Port Authority is subject to MHTC review, as provided in Chapter 68 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, as amended (the “Port Authorities Act”), which governs port authorities. The “Marion/Ralls Regional Port Authority,” is a separate political subdivision of the State of Missouri and it authorized to exercise port functions within its boundaries, the territorial limits of Marion County and Ralls County.
According to Mehaffy the new Regional Port Authority will promptly file for a fictitious name. “As we did with NEMO Economic Development Council, the Marion/Ralls Regional Port Authority will apply for the fictitious name of Hannibal Regional Port Authority. “The Hannibal brand is strong and known around the world,” he added. “The Commissioners intend to leverage the strength of that brand moving forward.”
“I am grateful to our Port Board of Commissioners and to the Ralls and Marion County Commissions for their vision, and willingness to partner in this endeavor. I am also grateful to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for their approval of our request,” said Mehaffy.
The Marion County Port Board of Commissioners includes Corey Mehaffy, Brian Caldwell, Brock Fahy, Gerry Maas, Rusty Adrian, Doug Krigbaum, Gordon Ipson and David Lomax. To learn more about the Marion County Port Authority, visit their webpage at https://hredc.com/marion-county-port-authority/
HREDC works to promote financial investment in Hannibal and Palmyra; and Marion and Ralls Counties. For more information on the organization, please visit their website at www.hredc.com.
Marion and Ralls Counties are located in the recently USACE designated Mid-America Port Commission Port Statistical Area.