Delta Regional Authority to fund rail spur construction in Arkansas

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) will provide $100,000 to the city of Marmaduke, Ark., for the construction of a rail spur along a Union Pacific Railroad line.

The city received notice earlier this week that it could proceed with the DRA investment to construct the rail spur along the UP line to increase access to the city's two industrial sites, and allow existing industries to maintain operations there, according to a DRA press release.

"The construction of a rail spur will provide much needed logistical support to local industry, including American Railcar Industries," said Melissa Rivers, executive director of the East Arkansas Planning and Development District.

The investment is part of the DRA 2014 States' Economic Development Assistance Program, which makes strategic investments in Delta communities to support local and regional economic development projects in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. The DRA is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000.