By JIM BUTLER 

The next step in continuing development at the Central Louisiana Regional Port occurs February 10 when bids are received for about 21 acres of handstand construction. 

Estimated cost of the stone reinforced area that will be a storage and parking site for electrical substation parts is $2.2 to $2.7 million. 

It is part of the substation manufacturing facility being located at the port by Dis-Tran, a subsidiary of Pineville-based Crest Industries. 

The facility is a $23.6 million, 149,000 square feet project expected to be completed by December, according to previous reports. 

Large investment of private and public dollars is a fact of life at ports. 

An audit report released this month show the one just north of Alexandria with $43.5 million in capital assets. 

A manufacturing park development underway will add to that. 

The report shows the port had operating revenues of $1.44 million from leases and rent and expenses of $1.58 million, including about $915 million in depreciation. 

That operating loss was recovered by $244, 000 in earned interest and $2.4 million in capital contribution.

The port’s net position increased by $2.5 million to $36.2 million at the audit year’s end.