Aberdeen approves budget amendment for Iron Horse grant; board flags uncertain road access costs

The Aberdeen Town Board voted June 10 to approve a budget amendment reflecting a North County Railway/County grant of about $67,760 for the Iron Horse project, but members cautioned that the site still lacks a reliable access road and that full construction costs for a road crossing the railroad may exceed current budget estimates.

Staff said the grant funds were originally received and that the amendment uses additional investment earnings rather than drawing on fund balance. "It's really the money's always been there for this that hasn't changed it was paid for by the state," a staff member said, describing the amendment as an accounting adjustment to disburse previously received grant funds.

Board discussion focused on the road needed to access the property across the railroad tracks. Commissioners said engineering is ongoing and final construction costs are not yet available; they noted the town and county had previously budgeted funds but that terrain and elevation changes are driving up costs. One commissioner said legislative or county assistance may be required to fully fund the road. The board approved the budget amendment by motion.

What’s next: staff will await final engineering estimates for the road and coordinate with county economic development and potential legislative funding partners; if local budgets cannot cover the full road cost, the project may need additional outside funding or a revised phasing plan.