Business leaders seek Kasich's support of rail, citing job creation

YOUNGSTOWN

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, has joined 11 other lawmakers and business leaders in requesting Gov. John Kasich’s support of the TechBelt Initiative.

The initiative is a public-private partnership focused on the development of freight and high-speed rail to connect Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown and Pittsburgh, according to a press release.

“Recent feasibility and economic studies by the state of Ohio show the construction and availability of higher-quality rail services in the TechBelt corridor would create up to 6,000 new jobs, increase household income by nearly $400 million and boost property values by $1.125 billion, according to the Ohio Hub System Feasibility Studies begun under Gov. Bob Taft,” the group said in a letter to Kasich.

The letter also cites the region’s population density of more than 6 million people, including 150,000 students, as reason for investing in high-speed rail.

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