9-1834-4988
Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office
Room 131, State Capitol 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
For Immediate Release:
September 8, 2003
Houston Helps Secure Purchase of Rail Line Rural Businesses Back on Track
Atlanta Representative Penny Houston (D-Nashville), announces the state is purchasing the Georgia/Florida RailNet railroad line as part of an upcoming transportation bond package for a price of $4 million, $2 million going for repairs. The line runs between Nashville and Valdosta.
Some of the companies served by the rail line include BP Nashville Mills, Langboard, Scruggs Concrete, the Langdale Company, and Willacoochee Industrial. RailNet, who operated the line, indicated earlier this year that operation of the railroad was no longer profitable.
"The loss of the rail line would have been devastating for our area, and particularly Berrien County," said Houston. "BP Nashville Mills, one of Berrien Counties largest employers greatly depends on the line for delivery of all their raw materials."
"I would like to thank the Governor for including it in his bond package and the SouthEast Georgia RDC for their help in gathering all of the necessary data. It is one of the biggest economic boosts we have had in a long time. They say once you lose a railroad, you never get it back," said Houston.
Rep. Houston serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and Banks & Banking committees.
# # # For further information contact Representative Houston at 404-656-0202 or 229-686-7454.