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On Aug. 9, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) joined National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Inc. (NRC), STX Railroad Construction, CSX Transportation and Kia Motor Manufacturing Georgia officials at a briefing and tour of Kia’s plant and rail yard in West Point, Ga.

During the event, STX and CSXT officials discussed the positive impact railroads have on Georgia’s economy and how they can continue to support business in the state. Last year, STX completed an expansion project on Kia’s rail line, which enables the automaker to produce and ship out more vehicles.

The construction company coordinated with Kia’s production schedule to finish the project on time, said STX Vice President Daniel Stout in a press release issued by the NRC. Through the project, STX reinvested $180,000 into the local community for services such as housing, food, and fuel, the release states.

The briefing and tour “was very educational” and a good way to learn more about Georgia’s rail industry, said Westmoreland.

“It was especially helpful to see a first-hand example of how a Georgia business and the railroad industry can work together so that both can achieve success,” he said. “The more than 4,600 miles of freight railroad track in our state help bring much-needed materials and goods in and helps Georgia businesses to ship their products out. The way Kia has utilized Georgia’s railroad system is a model that other Georgia businesses can use to grow and thrive.”