Charleston Regional Chamber Supports Regional Rail Study
Press Release
Charleston Regional Chamber Supports Study of Regional Rail System
December 19, 2006
Contact: Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce 340-4253
info@charlestonwvchamber.org
Charleston WV, - The Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce today announced its first legislative priority for the upcoming 2007 legislative session; a study of a regional rail system. The Chamber is encouraging the legislature to consider an appropriation to the West Virginia Port Authority, which would commission and manage a study that would result in specific deliverables related to a regional rail system:
• A market analysis of a regional rail system
• The economic impact of a regional rail system
• Terminal site recommendations
• Financing strategies
• Sustainability of operation strategies.
“The Chamber of believes that if the regional rail system is feasible, both financially and logistically, it will lead to a more regionalized economy. This is most important as we compete not against our neighboring counties and cities for jobs, but against nearby states and regions,” said Jim Sturgeon, the Chair of the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce hopes the study would answer such questions as: With the significant existing rail infrastructure in West Virginia, would it be possible to connect geographic areas such as Charleston and Huntington and areas in between? What would the cost be to develop such a regional rail system? Would the rail lead to a more unified economy and community between Charleston/Huntington?
While the Chamber believes the answers to these questions may support the construction and operation of such a rail system, no quantitative or qualitative study has been conducted to provide lawmakers or private business with the necessary information by which such an important decision could be made. “It is for these reasons we would ask our legislators to consider funding this study. This isn’t a local issue, it’s a statewide issue,” added Sturgeon.
Press Release
Charleston Regional Chamber Supports Study of Regional Rail System
December 19, 2006
Contact: Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce 340-4253
info@charlestonwvchamber.org
Charleston WV, - The Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce today announced its first legislative priority for the upcoming 2007 legislative session; a study of a regional rail system. The Chamber is encouraging the legislature to consider an appropriation to the West Virginia Port Authority, which would commission and manage a study that would result in specific deliverables related to a regional rail system:
• A market analysis of a regional rail system
• The economic impact of a regional rail system
• Terminal site recommendations
• Financing strategies
• Sustainability of operation strategies.
“The Chamber of believes that if the regional rail system is feasible, both financially and logistically, it will lead to a more regionalized economy. This is most important as we compete not against our neighboring counties and cities for jobs, but against nearby states and regions,” said Jim Sturgeon, the Chair of the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce hopes the study would answer such questions as: With the significant existing rail infrastructure in West Virginia, would it be possible to connect geographic areas such as Charleston and Huntington and areas in between? What would the cost be to develop such a regional rail system? Would the rail lead to a more unified economy and community between Charleston/Huntington?
While the Chamber believes the answers to these questions may support the construction and operation of such a rail system, no quantitative or qualitative study has been conducted to provide lawmakers or private business with the necessary information by which such an important decision could be made. “It is for these reasons we would ask our legislators to consider funding this study. This isn’t a local issue, it’s a statewide issue,” added Sturgeon.
posted by Charleston West Virginia Economic Development
@ 8:43 AM
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