Regional rail coalition seeks track upgrades
By FRITZ BUSCH Journal Staff WriterWINTHROP - A law firm with offices in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. recently made a lobbying proposal to the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Coalition (MVRRC).
Two representatives of that firm - Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P., - spoke at the coalition's meeting Wednesday at the Winthrop Vets Club.
Lockridge Grindal Nauen describes itself as a law firm that represents clients in government relations.
Lobbying proposal details were not available at the meeting. However, information is expected to be sent to meeting participants in the near future.
The recently formed rail coalition includes business, industry and community officials along and near the 94-mile track between Norwood and Hanley Falls.
The Minnesota Prairie Line follows State Highways 5 and 19 from Norwood to Redwood Falls before veering northwest through Delhi, Belview, Echo, Wood Lake and Hanley Falls.
Redwood County Commissioner and Rail Authority Committee member Gene Short said the time is right to bring multiple forces together to upgrade the rail line.
"If we ever had a window of opportunity, this is it with veteran Minnesota Congressmen Jim Oberstar and Collin Peterson in Washington," said Short.
Although Short was not re-elected on Nov. 4 after 16 years on the county board, he plans to stay on the rail coalition in order to see through a $72 million project that would enable the line to handle 286,000-pound car load unit trains at 25 mph.
"I'm confident we can get this done this year. It's been a long haul, but we can do it. We'll haul 7,000 (rail) cars this year," added Short.
Cristina Diaz, assistant government relations grassroots coordinator at Lockridge Grindal Nauen's Minneapolis office, said her firm can make the project happen.
"Greater Minnesota is really cool with lots of great ideas," Diaz said. "A collective voice can create a (better rail) line, a gift that keeps on giving."
Matt Schaefer, Lockridge Grindal Nauen's government relations grassroots coordinator, talked about lobbying efforts.
"People like you are meeting now to create many funding proposals like this. The best ones are well organized," he added.
Short said Lockridge Grindal Nauen has successfully lobbied for Minnesota rail projects before including the North Star, Central and Hiawatha Corridor projects in the Twin Cities metro area.
Short added that earlier in the day, he met with a Minnesota Highway Department official who said it would design and bid the project within 90 days of funding approval.
He said additional federal economic stimulus funding bill passed the U.S. House, but not the Senate.
Short said some Nicollet County commissioners are interested contributing to the coalition.
Sibley County commissioners recently passed a $15,000 funding resolution. There may be more annual funding available from Sibley County Economic Development.
Norwood Young America Mayor Tom Simmons said his city authorized $5,600 for the Coalition.
Scott Blumhoefer of Heartland Corn Products in Winthrop said an agreement between the Rail Coalition and Mid-Minnesota Development Coalition, which includes the Highway 15 Improvement Coalition, is being drawn up.
Other coalition funding options include $1 per (rail) car and finances from communities, counties, businesses, industries, the Minnesota Legislature and the new Federal Transportation Bill to be drafted early in 2009.
District 23 Sen. Kathy Sheran of Mankato said she would continue to work on the project next year in St. Paul. She praised the rail coalition.
"Your leadership is really important for this development and others in the future. You've got to troll to catch a fish. There is money out there. Let's go after it," Sheran said.
Commodities shipped on the Minnesota Prairie Line include corn, soybeans, fertilizer, ethanol, lumber, canned vegetables, biodiesel, softener salt and dried distillers grains.
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).
