Rail authority approved for $75K in funding, board chairman says this is a ‘tremendous opportunity’

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) — A Winnebago County Board unanimously approved $75,000 in funding for the county’s rail authority on Thursday.

“Put the structure together so that things can move forward and there’s tremendous opportunity,” said WCRA Board Chairman Paul Cicero. “We just are going to get on it and hope for the best.”

Cicero is talking about the opportunities coming to the county, now that the rail authority is being implemented after seldom use since its inception in the mid-2000s.

“The long-term goals are to integrate rail in the area for rail cargo. You know, Rochelle has the intermodal facility, which is a huge economic benefit to them,” said Cicero. “And the rail authority here, I think, would very much like to. We plan on hooking up with that particular junction.”

The railway authority works closely with region one planning on developmental goals. Winnebago County Economic Development Chairman John Sweeney said this is an exciting time.

“What we’ve identified is a very exciting corridor for potential future growth here in Winnebago County,” said Sweeney. “We recognize that there’s huge amounts of synergy between Rochelle’s intermodal and the area south of the airport.”

The chairman went on to thank stakeholders for helping secure the funding needed to progress.

“With all of the hard work that’s been done through our one and other stakeholders to procure grants for infrastructure and site control, you know, this money was needed for legal work and consultation, work that is needed to kind of put this whole thing together,” said Sweeney.

The Winnebago County Rail Authority Board is the same as the airport’s board. Winnebago can add up to three more members to the board.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.