Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for January 17, 2007 CAIRO TO SELL AIRPORT?

Trying to keep a "half full" attitude, but two lines in the article below raise concern:

• He adds this latest announcement is not a campaign ploy on his part. (When politicians are moved to make denials of their motivations...be afraid, be VERY afraid!)

• Mayor Paul Farris said there are talks about annexing in the property north of the Cairo airport to bring it within the city's limits where the proposed gasification plant would be built. (If this project depends on the Mayor and City Council reaching agreement on anything...Fuggitaboutit!)

Cairo to Sell Airport

By: Erica Byfield

Cairo, Il. - Last week we told you the city of Cairo may become home to a $3-billion gasification plant. As we have learned, aside from area farm land, the mayor says an un-named investment group is also in the process of buying the city's airport. You could say it's the price the city of Cairo has to pay.

"The Cairo Airport Board passed a resolution in an agreement to sell the property to this company" said Jack Guetterman, airport board member.

As you can imagine buying and selling a federal and state supported airport is not easy.

"There are a lot of obstacles to pass" he said.

Leaders with the unnamed company had to agree to buy this airport so it could build the plant to certain specifications; otherwise clearance rules come into play.

"If this goes through the Cairo Airport will be sold to this company and then there will be a lot of jobs available in this area" said Guetterman.

That is the same general feeling Mayor Paul Farris is operating with "You're talking about the opportunity for good jobs. Jobs that pay more than minimum wage with good benefit packages."

He adds this latest announcement is not a campaign ploy on his part.

"I can't say this is going to happen, but I do know the preliminary steps to make this happen at this point as been accomplished."

Like agreeing to sell the airport, Mayor Farris and Jack Guetterman agree it is going to be awhile before we see smoke stacks.

"It may be a few years, but it's going" said Guetterman.

"Life as it is here today will become the past, that's how dramatic of a change it could make" said Farris.

If the city of Cairo has to give up its airport to make this dream a reality, I'm told it's more than worth it.

Mayor Paul Farris said there are talks about annexing in the property north of the Cairo airport to bring it within the city's limits where the proposed gasification plant would be built.

The story from "last week" referenced in the above article...

Cairo mayor believes 1,000 jobs could be on the way

By: Erica Byfield

CAIRO, Il. --Two weeks into the New Year and Heartland News has learned Cairo may get what it needs to have a "new" start. We're talking about a new industry and 1,000 jobs.

Cairo's Mayor Paul Farris tells Heartland News it's in the early stages, but it looks like a coal gasification plant could possibly claim Alexander County as home.

In the real estate business the motto is location, location, location and Mayor Paul Farris tells me Cairo may be the prefect location to build a gasification plant for a few reasons. The area is flanked by Mississippi River and the Ohio River, plus there is a railroad and major interstate all within minutes of each other.

The farm land north of the airport is lifeless now, but from what Mayor Farris says it may not be for long because big business could be coming to town!!!

Thursday, by phone, he confirms an un-named organization wants to construct a three billion dollar, one thousand job plant a few minutes outside of Cairo's city limits.

Farris mentioned by far this would be the largest thing to sweep through Alexander County in decades.

People in town say this is just what this area needs, jobs.

"I wish it would come quicker a lot of people need jobs and this is a deprived town and all you hear is bad things about it these days" said lifelong resident Amanda Gibson.

Dennis Leedy said "this town needs more jobs."

"I think that would be nice because here in Cairo there are no jobs and people don't have anything to do" added Charles Strayharne.

Mayor Farris stressed plans for the gasification plant are in the beginning stages so, he like the rest of us have to be patient.

Also he's confident this is the stepping stone that could help his heartland community spring forward.

Mayor Farris also tells Heartland News leaders with the unnamed organization are currently in the process of getting funding to buy the land, and so far there are no other areas vying for the plant.

According to the Department of Energy, coal gasification is a process where coal is broken down into other useable energy products.