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Regional rail advocates brief Lincoln County on Amtrak long‑distance study; residents split over subsidies and benefits
Summary
All Aboard Northwest presented Federal Railroad Administration long‑distance study findings and argued for routes through South Dakota, citing potential for hundreds of jobs and $52–$74 million in annual earnings; residents raised concerns about taxpayer subsidies while others urged support and local letters to congressional delegates.
Dan Bilka, co‑founder and president of All Aboard Northwest, told the Lincoln County Commission on June 24 that the IIJA‑mandated Federal Railroad Administration long‑distance study identifies two routes through South Dakota and that the state has been functionally excluded from Amtrak service for decades.
Bilka said the FRA considered only existing legally secured freight rights‑of‑way and emphasized upgrades rather than new track or eminent domain. He cited the study’s travel‑demand analysis and presented estimates that operations could generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and roughly $52 million to $74 million in annual earnings for communities along the route.
Bilka urged residents and local officials to register interest by sending letters or passing resolutions and named the region’s federal delegation — Sen. John Thune, Sen. Mike Rounds and Representative Johnson — as key decision makers for next steps, including a full economic impact analysis and service development planning.
Commissioners asked practical questions: who the service would operate with (Bilka cited host railroads such as BNSF), and how operations would be financed. Bilka said long‑distance routes over 750 miles are intended to receive federal appropriations for operations, though service development planning is needed to determine schedules, station stops and cost‑benefit details.
Public comment reflected a split. Kayla Breck and others warned taxpayers against subsidizing rail, saying costs would fall on local residents. Bruce Henke and other supporters described frequent Amtrak use, tourism benefits and improved access for residents who cannot fly, urging the commission to consider the potential economic and mobility gains.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the presentation; the session concluded after Q&A and public comment and moved on to budget work sessions.
Next steps recommended by the presenter were a local expression of interest, a congressional request for a regional economic impact analysis, and a full service development plan to determine station locations, schedules and costs.
