By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE — Spurred by continued economic growth in the River Parishes after Hurricane Katrina, the Port of South Louisiana approved a host of projects and is seeking funds for still more.

Executive Director Joel Chaisson, who recently returned from a trade mission to Senegal, seeking a sister port agreement to bring in West African oil, will be hosting a trade mission from Senegal on Dec. 9-19, he announced.

Associated Terminals, the Globalplex operator, will have their contract extended, and the Port has agreed to lease the 50,000-square-foot Building 2 to the company at $3 per square foot for the next three years.

Port Commissioner Jay Roberts of St. Charles Parish pushed to extend Associated Terminal’s contract, in recognition of their efforts during and after Katrina.

In other economic development news, Natco, an 80-year-old meat packing company from New Orleans, has relocated to Globalplex and signed a long-term there. Natco is also seeking the Port’s assistance in funding construction of a $4 million cold-storage facility, and the Port agreed to finance tax-free revenue bonds.

Natco is already hiring locally, and plans to have at least 110 employees after two years, Chaisson said.

In addition, the port commission approved modification of Marathon’s existing permit for a ship dock facility in St. James Parish; approved Elmwood Marine Services’ permit for a barge mooring and a ship mooring facility near Convent, as well as expansion of a barge fleeting operation near Convent and expansion of a barge washing facility; and approved renewal of Belmont LLC’s barge fleeting permit.

The Port will also approach the state Division of Administration and the Louisiana Legislature for an appropriation of Capital Outlay funds for the general cargo dock installation for the total of $4,790,410, with the commitment that the Port will match that amount for the facility’s construction.

It is estimated that the total cost of planning, construction and contingency will be $9.5 million.

Additionally, the Port will also apply for an appropriation of Capital Outlay funds totaling $6,479,564 for the Globalplex internal road improvements, with the commitment that the Port will match it at least by $3.5 million.

It is estimated that the total cost of planning, construction and contingency will be $9.4 million.

Also, the Port will launch an investigation into vibration sway at the Kinder Morgan bulk dock, which has worsened in the past year. &#8220It poses a liability issue for the Port that we’ve got to address,” Chaisson said.

Bids will be opend on Nov. 14 for the dock rehabilitation contract at Bayou Steel near LaPlace, Chaisson said.

Finally, the Port approved engineering services by URS for the new 40,000-square-foot transit shed, to be located at the corner of West 10th Street and River Road in Reserve, funded by the state’s Port Priority Trust Fund.