Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Passenger Rail topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioner asks Buncombe County to back $28M state match for passenger-rail funding
Summary
A commissioner presented a letter urging Buncombe County to endorse state budget support for a $28 million appropriation to match federal passenger-rail grants aimed at restoring service on the Salisbury–Asheville corridor; commissioners agreed to add the letter to tonight’s consent agenda.
A commissioner presented a letter from rail advocates urging Buncombe County to support inclusion of $28 million in the current state budget to provide state matching funds for a federal grant application to improve railroad crossings and strengthen the Salisbury–Asheville corridor.
The speaker, identified in the meeting as Drew, said the funding would match federal dollars already slated for distribution and argued the investment would “strengthen the rail corridor from Asheville to Salisbury” with the aim of eventually restoring passenger service that ended in 1975. He noted an estimated $4 federal match for every $1 of state funding, characterizing the request as a strong economic opportunity for the area.
Commissioners discussed the request briefly. The board reached consensus to place the letter on the consent agenda at the 5:00 p.m. meeting for formal consideration, rather than taking separate action during the briefing.
The matter will appear on the commissioners’ consent agenda; no formal vote on the substantive endorsement was recorded during the afternoon briefing.
