Intermodal facility being explored |
Intermodal facility being explored |
Aug 20 2007, 01:01 PM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,425 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=54065.42
QUOTE Co. Committee To Look At Intermodal Officials to start advisory task force to ensure ‘transparent’ process in development. Laurie Wink The News-Dispatch LA PORTE - An advisory task force is being created to help county officials evaluate prospective developers and sites for an intermodal freight terminal in La Porte County. County Commission President Barbara Huston said in a press release Friday the commissioners are developing an "orderly and fair process" that would involve public input. The task force will have 15 to 20 members. The convergence of rail lines, coupled with closeness to major interstate highways, has positioned La Porte County as a prime location for a facility that could create jobs and boost economic development. It would serve as a place where cargo is transferred between trucks and trains. Two railroad companies are said to be eying locations here, but are saying little publicly about their plans. Some property owners have said they have been approached by a real estate company that has been buying options on farmland in southern La Porte County. "We will put a very public, transparent process in place to evaluate developers and sites before we ever give approvals to anyone," Huston said. Huston said the county has received multiple inquiries from real estate firms, venture capital groups, railroads and real estate investment trusts interested in prospective county locations. She said county attorney Shaw Friedman and county economic development coordinator Matt Reardon will coordinate contacts and issue a request of interest to identify serious proposals. Her own preference is to use the Kingsbury Industrial Park as the site of the intermodal facility, but she and the other commissioners are open to all possibilities, she said. |
Oct 18 2007, 10:59 AM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,425 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...;ArticleID=5614
QUOTE Task At Hand LA PORTE - Administrators don't think they will need the whole amount, but the La Porte County Intermodal Advisory Task Force on Wednesday agreed nonetheless to set aside nearly $100,000 for its work. "We're not authorizing the expenditure today," task force president Dave Christian said. "A $20,000 budget could work, but that wouldn't include technical expertise. We'll need an $80,000 line item just for technical expertise." La Porte County Attorney Shaw Friedman said the money will come from the county's riverboat fund, whether from WIN taxes or admission taxes. The group was organized by the La Porte County Commission. Task force member Ruth Minich debated the $97,000 budget, saying the work should be done on a shoestring. She said the group should start with a bare-bones amount and ask for more if needed. "I'm on this task force and I'm working free," the 82-year-old farmer and former La Porte school board member said. "I guess I'm a little conservative." Christian added, "We're looking into the crystal ball right now to see what we might need. The least amount of money we spend, the better I like it." The group Wednesday also set up six sub-groups, created to deal with subjects officials feel need to be resolved before any recommendations can be made. The group was formed of some 25 La Porte County residents, ranging from union officials to hospital administrators to police. They hope to recommend to the La Porte County Council if the intermodal would be good or bad for the county. The six groups include a task force administration group, a group dealing with public input and education, additional research, cost benefit, environmental and social impacts and concept definitions. Task force members plan on taking a trip to Ellwood, Ill., in late November to observe a large intermodal there. They also hope to speak with local officials and residents to get a feel for how the facility has affected the area. |
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