Council approves nonbinding letter of support for Progress Rail CRISI grant application

Councilmembers voted May 26 to provide a nonbinding letter of support to Progress Rail for inclusion in a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant application.

Aaron Morgan of Progress Rail (a Caterpillar company) presented a high‑level project concept to rehabilitate and upgrade the roughly 11‑mile Sydney & Low short line to improve track condition, interchange reliability and safety. Morgan said the request for a letter of support does not commit the city to funding, approvals or future obligations and that the draft letter could be revised as the city prefers.

Morgan said the project is at an early stage, that the grant solicitation had recently opened and that the work could support modest local job growth (he estimated 10–15% employment increase at the site). Councilmembers asked about current employment levels and expected growth; Morgan replied that Progress Rail currently has about 40 employees locally and anticipates a roughly 10–15% increase if the project advances.

Council approved a motion to issue a nonbinding letter of support and asked staff to review and edit the draft as needed before sending. The motion explicitly preserved the city’s authority to decline future funding or approvals associated with the project.