Delaware County Receives $2.3 Million Grant for Rail Line
Muncie, IN (August 29, 2009) - Senator Evan Bayh issued a news release earlier today that Delaware County will receive $2,268,750 to build a rail spur to connect the Park One Business Park in Delaware County to the Norfolk Southern freight track.
The rail spur will support large-scale manufacturing companies and help attract new business and employers to the park. Park One is currently home to Brevini USA, Brevini Wind, and VAT Group. The funding is estimated to create 400 jobs (Brevini Wind) and leverage $58.9 million in private investment for Delaware County and the surrounding area. The investment is specifically targeted to help workers impacted by recent closings of several automotive manufacturing companies.
In the news release, Senator Bayh said, "Connecting Delaware County to the existing freight rail track will spark economic development in the Muncie area and help put Hoosiers back to work. This is an investment in Delaware County's long-term growth. It will create middle-class job opportunities by taking advantage of the region's manufacturing experience and expertise."
"This funding could not come at a better time. This project is going to put people who have been out of work, back to work," said Larry Bledsoe, District Three commissioner of Delaware County. "Building a freight route to Park One will help recruit new businesses to the area, creating jobs and rebuilding our local economy."
"This is fantastic news for our county in that it not only serves the businesses already committed to the area but it really enhances the area for future growth", said Terry Murphy, Vice President, Economic Development for the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. "A rail-served, interstate location will give our county a distinct strategic advantage in attracting new business and industry."
The funding is part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 and has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Brevini USA, VAT Group and Brevini Wind are projected to create 570 new jobs and invest over $65 million.
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About the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance:
Vision 2011 is the Delaware County's five year economic development program and is administered by the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and Delaware Advancement Corporation. For more information about the EDC, visit www.muncie.com.