Iowa awards $5.1M in loans, grants for rail projects

The Iowa Transportation Commission approved $5.1 million in funding for six rail infrastructure and rail development projects under the state's Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant (RRLG) program, the Iowa Department of Transportation announced this week.

In total, more than $4.3 million has been approved for loans, and $760,000 was awarded in grants. The projects are expected to support the creation and retention of 55 jobs within three years of completion, according to a press release issued by the Iowa DOT.

The grant and loan amounts awarded and proposed projects are:

• a $1.84 million loan to Heartland Co-op for the Greenfield Rail Loading Elevator project in Wayne County;

• A $1.25 million loan and $60,000 grant to A-Line E.D.S., a transformation and electrical equipment decommissioner in Black Hawk County, for a new rail spur; 

 • a $957,000 loan for the Reid Line Dexter Rail Yard improvements project in Dallas County;

• a 600,000 grant to Appanoose County for a rail extension;

• a $257,349 loan to Burlington Junction Railway for yard and transload improvements in Des Moines County; and

• a $100,000 grant to Webster City Rail Port in Hamilton County for port planning and development.