Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Public Rail Access Facility at Industrial Park
March 27th, 2013 by Sarah Spencer
The groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of a Public Rail Access Facility in the MEDC Industrial Park was held Tuesday afternoon.
When completed the new rail spur will hook to the existing (soon to be improved) spur at Hood Packaging, and switch to a rail that will send freight cars into the Industrial Site for loading and unloading of cargo. This will likely begin with lumber. Currently Price Lumber and occasionally Maxwell Hardwood load rail freight at the Jackson Street crossing.
Guest speaker for the event was Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chair – Chris Masingill, who along with Mayor Maxwell emphasized the importance of lumber, chips, and other industries that could use the railroad spur as transportation.
Other attendees included representatives from Gov. Beebe, Sen. Pryor, Sen. Boozman, and Congressman Cotton’s offices.
Arkansas Midland Railroad, SEADD, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, were also present, as were local wood producers from Maxwell Hardwood and Price Lumber.
MEDC members, along with other business, banking, and governmental leaders also witnessed the event.,
“It is rare for a community to have the opportunity to meet the needs of several industries with a single project which also prepares the community for growth. In these difficult economic times, this project to develop a Public Rail Access will yield job retention as well as the potential for job creation” said Nita McDaniel, executive director for the Monticello Economic Development Commission.”
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Hood Packaging / Industrial Park Railroad Spur Set for Groundbreaking Construction
March 7, 2013
The City Council voted recently to accept a federal grant to replace the railroad spur on Highway 35 near the Industrial Park at Hood Packaging.
Nita McDaniel, Executive Director of the Monticello Economic Development Commission explained the railroad project and the grant. The railroad spur, which crosses Highway 35 is in serious need of replacement. This spur will be extended into the Industrial Park to provide public rail access to the area. Businesses already in the Park, and several big prospects who are considering moving into the park would use this rail access to facilitate the shipping of their products and supplies in a more cost effective manner.
At Wednesday’s MEDC meeting, McDaniel confirmed that the Highway Department is currently working on a road overlay project from Dermott to Collins, and will continue that into Monticello to connect to Highway 278. Replacing the spur at the same time would provide a seamless finish.
Arkansas Midland Railroad will serve as the project manager for a portion of the project, which will save on engineering expenses. Easement documents are being processed this week.
Another benefit to the rest of the project is when the spur is completed, it will be extended to provide railroad access to the industrial park, located adjacent to the Hood Packaging facility.
Delta Regional Authority will be in Monticello on March 26 with documents for the project, and a groundbreaking for the new rail spur is planned for that day.
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