American Rock Salt to extend rail siding at New York plant

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week announced American Rock Salt Co. (ARS) will extend its rail siding in Mount Morris, N.Y.

The $2 million project calls for extending the siding by 1,500 feet. The spur connects with a line operated by Genesee & Wyoming Inc.'s Rochester & Southern Railroad.

Each day, 10,000 to 18,000 tons of salt are produced at ARS' plant. The salt generally is sold in bulk and shipped by rail and truck. The extended siding will provide ARS faster and more efficient transportation of the deicing salt during periods when demand is high, said Cuomo in a press release.

"By supporting this company’s efforts, we are helping them increase their output and become more competitive, while also retaining 300 jobs and bringing 55 new positions to Livingston County," he said.



The project is being done in tandem with the relocation of Vaporizer LLC – which ARS recently purchased – to Mount Morris. A 10,000 square-foot building is being built for Vaporizer near ARS' mining operations. The Vaporizer relocation and the siding extension amount to a $4 million investment in the combined operations, said Cuomo.

Empire State Development will provide a $200,000 grant to Vaporizer and the New York State Department of Transportation will provide a $200,000 grant to ARS for the projects.