EDA awards grant for Texas industrial park rail spur

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award a $1.2 million grant to the city of Corsicana, Texas, to construct a 2,500-foot rail spur that will serve the Highway 31 Industrial Park.

The grant will be matched with $833,333 in local funds. It's expected to generate $60 million in private investment, EDA officials said in a press release.

The new rail spur, to be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, will directly support new economic development in North Central Texas, said Dana Gartzke, who performs the delegated duties of the assistant secretary of commerce for economic development. 

"In addition, the project's location in an opportunity zone will build upon the park's success in attracting new manufacturing companies and additional private investment to the region," Gartzke said.

The project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, EDA officials said.