U.S. Rep. Paulsen tours Meyer Contracting

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minnesota) this week visited Meyer Contracting Inc.'s headquarters in Minnesota to discuss rail-related legislative issues with company, local and industry officials.

During his visit, Paulsen learned about Meyer Contracting's business operations and its impact on the state economy. He also toured the firm's headquarters and manufacturing shop in Maple Grove.

The event was organized by the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) and the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC).

Meyer Contracting is a Minority Business Enterprise and Native American firm with more than 30 years of construction experience in rail services, earthwork, utilities, piling, demolition and concrete structures, according to press releases issued by NRC and REMSA. The firm's rail division provides construction services across the country for Class I, Class II and light-rail systems.

Paulsen serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and chairs the Joint Economic Committee. He is a co-sponsor of the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, legislation that would make the short-line tax credit permanent. The tax credit would help short lines maintain nearly 50,000 miles of track that connect more than 10,000 rail customers to the national main line rail network.

Meyer Contracting officials who met with Paulsen were Chief Executive Officer Paul Meyer, President Verlyn Schoep, Vice President Mark Conte and Director of Business Development Luke Fellows.

Also in attendance were Matt Bell, NRC's executive vice president and chief operating officer; Jacob Carter, REMSA's government affairs manager; Mark Gjevre, a project engineer for BNSF Railway Co.; Karen Jaeger, a city councilwoman for Maple Grove; Duane Poppe, mayor of Osseo, Minnesota; and Mark Wegner, Twin Cities & Western Railroad's president.