PRESS RELEASE--October 18, 2002
Longview, Washington - At the Port of Longview’s Regular Commission Meeting of October 15, 2002, Cowlitz County Commissioners formally presented the Port Commissioners with a check for $2 million. The money will be used for construction of the Port’s Industrial Rail Corridor, slated for completion in 2003.
Construction of the rail corridor began in March 2002 and is expected to be complete by early fall of 2003. “It improves the connection between the main line railroad and the Port’s marine business, establishing a high volume connection between the main line and the Port’s industrial properties,” according to the Port’s Director of Facilities and Engineering, Norm Krehbiel.
Funding was made possible through a sales tax rebate program passed by the state Legislature in 1997 which credits a portion of the state sales and use tax revenue back to rural counties for projects that will spur economic development. Cowlitz County has distributed grant money to public facility projects which meet the criteria since 1998. In 2002, ten projects were awarded funding, including the Port’s rail corridor.
“The Port’s rail corridor will be the best job creation improvement Cowlitz County has seen in years,” said Jeff Rasmussen, Cowlitz County Commission Chairman.
The $2 million grant represents the last piece of a $20 million funding package for the entire Industrial Rail Corridor. “The receipt of these funds now allows the project to stay on schedule,” said Ken O’Hollaren, the Port’s Executive Director.
The industrial property to be served by the new rail corridor is the area formerly owned by the Long-Bell Lumber Company, which established the city of Longview in the 1920's. The Port acquired the 300-acre site in the 1990's for redevelopment as an industrial park in order to attract new industries dependent upon port services. Upon completion, the rail corridor will provide a key transportation advantage for the Port as the property is marketed to new and expanding manufacturing companies.
For further information regarding information contained in this press release contact Communications/Public Affairs, 360-425-3305. |
