Short‑line rail group urges $20 million in annual recurring state funding to preserve service and leverage federal dollars

Tyler White of RJ Corman Railroad Group and Denny Wayne Robinson, chairman of the Tri‑County Railroad Authority and White County executive, told the committee that short‑line railroads serve as critical first‑mile/last‑mile infrastructure for agriculture and manufacturing and argued recurring state funding is necessary to plan multi‑year maintenance projects.

Robinson said the program established in 2021 created a predictable funding pool equivalent to roughly $20 million per year through 2026; presenters said the last allocation was distributed in July 2025 and that current funding is ending. "We are asking for a $20,000,000 reoccurring budget every year," Robinson said, adding that predictable state funds help leverage federal CRISI dollars and private investment. Tyler White explained that projects often combine local (5–10%), owner/operator (~20%) and federal grant funds (the remainder), and that state funds have previously produced multi‑fold leverage.

Committee members asked detailed questions about match percentages, allocation by need, and local leverage; presenters said TDOT’s needs assessment is used to prioritize funds and urged a multi‑year recurring appropriation rather than one‑time allocations. Chairlady Massey said the committee will work with TDOT to account for existing funds and review options.