Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Friday, October 10, 2003

DORENA, MO Senator Kit Bond today celebrated the dedication of the new Dorena - Hickman Ferry with officials from Missouri and Kentucky. Bond told the community leaders that officials on both sides of the Mississippi have done a great job at keeping this vital link to the heartland open.

"It has taken a lot of hard work by a number of folks to make the Dorena-Hickman Ferry a success," said Bond. "Tourists traveling in the region, farmers striving to make a living and local folks all look upon this ferry as an important part of transportation infrastructure linking two great states."

Since 1996 the Mississippi and New Madrid Counties in Missouri and Fulton County in Kentucky have gained significant benefits due to the ferry service. Distressed communities in Missouri and Kentucky look to the social and economic benefits the ferry brings to the area, including the shipment of goods and services and the connection provided through employment, recreation and tourism.

"The important link provided by the Dorena - Hickman Ferry to Kentucky and our good friends and neighbors in Missouri provides transportation to thousands of folks each year," stated Harold Garrison, Fulton County Judge/Executive. "We are deeply grateful to Senator Kit Bond for making the acquisition possible and look forward to our great Kentucky/Missouri partnership growing stronger in the years to come."

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Bond has been able to secure critical federal dollars for this project over the years, including $500,000 Bond secured for improvements in 2001.