ORDC approves Mahoning Valley rail funding

By Marc Kovac | July 24, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Rail Development Commission approved $285,500 in grant funding Thursday for rail-line improvements between Lords- town and North Jackson.

The funds will be used for tie replacements and surfacing work along more than 4 miles of track currently used by one company but potentially a draw for others considering vacant industrial property near the General Motors plant in Lordstown.

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber has voiced support for the grant funding to keep the rail open, providing a potential incentive for companies considering locating on several hundred acres nearby poised for development.

“They’re making a good investment,” said Sarah Boyarko, vice president of economic development for the chamber.

She said the ORDC and the Norfolk Southern Railway had reached out to the chamber to provide information about what the rail-line investments would mean for the community. The chamber mapped out 31 properties, both buildings and land, that would become more marketable with the improvements.

“We worked with ORDC to help make the case why they should work with NS to make the upgrades,” she said.

The total project will cost about $571,000, with Norfolk Southern covering the balance.

According to documents, the rail company discontinued rail services between North Jackson and Sebring about eight years ago due to declining rail traffic.

It was considering discontinuing additional rail service in the area due to maintenance expenses and sought assistance from the ORDC to keep the line in service.

Nilco, a lumber company, currently uses the line, shipping 60 carloads last year, according to documents.

Though ultimately approving the grant, several commissioners questioned why Nilco and the chamber were not on hand for Thursday’s meeting. The company was not involved in the grant application.

“It would make it a lot easier for me to make this decision if I had [written comments or representatives of the chamber offering support for the project],” said Commissioner Tom Zitter. “I would be more comfortable if I had that information.”

Contributor: Brandon Klein, staff writer