Port Authority calls for regional task force

The Port Authority of Fort Smith today (Nov. 20) passed a resolution to create a regional task force comprised of business and governmental “stakeholders” that would investigate and identify a location or locations for placement of a regional port and/or intermodal facility.

“It was a major step forward for our port authority to look at transportation needs regionally, rather than locally,” said Ray Gosack, Fort Smith deputy city administrator.

Gosack is tasked with contacting stakeholders and asking them to submit names for the task force. There was no time frame listed in the resolution for when the task force should meet or when it should have a recommendation of locations, Gosack said.

U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, has requested officials in the Fort Smith region to come together on the issue of creating a regional port/intermodal authority. He said regional support would improve the chances for federal assistance.

Also, the Port Authority of Fort Smith received a letter dated Nov. 5 from Major General William Wofford suggesting that he would not consider allowing military property at Fort Chaffee to be used for rail or port access without a plan supported by all regional players.

Wofford, head of the Arkansas National Guard, noted, “I cannot endorse a proposal without assurance that the initiative represents the interests of all concerned parties, and will not endorse a proposal that compromises the mission of Fort Chaffee. Once a regional site has been selected, the Arkansas National Guard will work with community leaders to support economic development.”