Rail Expansion Project

PLAINVILLE, IND. (WTHI) -       A small Wabash Valley community is looking at multi-million dollar rail expansion project.

     Daviess County officials are considering a proposal by Indiana Southern Railroad for a project in Plainville.

     That project could open the way for more goods to move in and out of the county.

     The siding along Boyd Grain right now can handle about 30 rail cars, but that number could soon triple.

     With help from a federal grant Indiana Southern Railroad is proposing a $2.1-million expansion that would increase the length of the track.

     "I think it's a good thing and good for the community and anytime the government is going to give Daviess County a couple of million dollars I don't know why we'd turn that down," said owner Tom Boyd at Boyd Grain.

     During a normal year the elevator moves tons of locally grown grain out of the county to market, but this of course hasn't been a normal year and harvest numbers are showing it.

     The expansion of the rail siding says a lot of things.

     One of them is that even though it's been a tough year down on the farm, the future for agriculture is really pretty bright.

     "This one is not going to turn out very well because of the drought," said Ron Arnold With the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation, "but you've got to plan for the future and basically the investment, not only here, but in some other things we're seeing in Daviess County is people believe in the future."

     The project also points out that with I-69 nearing completion nearby, the area can become a transportation hub.

     "Theres a lot of other opportunities that come with it," said Boyd.  "You can off load lumber, grain, anything.  It could be good for the community."

     "It's the start of something that bodes well for Daviess County," said Arnold.

     Some well needed growth.. in the midst of a dismal season in farm country.

     Because the project would close one rural county road the commissioners have put it on hold for a couple of weeks to give the public an opportunity to look at it and comment.